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Santuario #1
Santuario
Police teniente Alex Rukow has spent his life trapped on Santuario, his people’s isolated home-slash-prison-island. They’ve been living in poverty under the tyrannical regime of their own elite familias for the last two-hundred years, ever since their generation ship landed on the planet and found it already populated by earlier Earth settlers, the Skanians, who banished them to the inhospitable south.
Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.
Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive.
Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.
Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2012
5 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
G.B. Gordon
13 books94 followersG.B.Gordon worked as a packer, landscaper, waiter, and coach before going back to school to major in linguistics and, at 35, switch to less backbreaking monetary pursuits like translating, editing, and writing. Having lived in various parts of the world, Gordon is now happily ensconced in suburban Ontario with the best of all husbands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 5, 2013
I think I spent the majority of this book feeling confused. That isn't a good thing.
I can't even begin to attempt a plot summery. I... yeah... there is just too much going on for me to try that. The gist of it is that there is a murder investigation and two men from two very different cultures, Alex and Bengt, have to work together to solve the crime. There are mafia-like themes and cultural differences that the pair have to wade though in order to get along. While working together, something more begins to develop between the two men.
I feel like I had 1,000 questions while I was reading the book. Most were basic, world-building questions. Are the Santuarians and the Skanians the same species? They are right? Maybe? Why is the language of the Santuarians identical to Spanish?? Are they from South American or something? The list goes on and on.
Aside from the confusing plot, my big issue with this book was that I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters. I felt no spark between the two, and I was shocked when one started to talk about "love" and feelings of that nature. I felt like the book could have easily been a buddy-buddy murder investigation instead of a m-m romance because that aspect of the story was so underdeveloped. Just cut one scene and you have a straight sci-fi piece.
I'm sorry to say that I just didn't get this story. It is safe to say that this was not a hit for me.
**This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I can't even begin to attempt a plot summery. I... yeah... there is just too much going on for me to try that. The gist of it is that there is a murder investigation and two men from two very different cultures, Alex and Bengt, have to work together to solve the crime. There are mafia-like themes and cultural differences that the pair have to wade though in order to get along. While working together, something more begins to develop between the two men.
I feel like I had 1,000 questions while I was reading the book. Most were basic, world-building questions. Are the Santuarians and the Skanians the same species? They are right? Maybe? Why is the language of the Santuarians identical to Spanish?? Are they from South American or something? The list goes on and on.
Aside from the confusing plot, my big issue with this book was that I didn't feel a connection between the two main characters. I felt no spark between the two, and I was shocked when one started to talk about "love" and feelings of that nature. I felt like the book could have easily been a buddy-buddy murder investigation instead of a m-m romance because that aspect of the story was so underdeveloped. Just cut one scene and you have a straight sci-fi piece.
I'm sorry to say that I just didn't get this story. It is safe to say that this was not a hit for me.
**This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
October 18, 2012
Santuario confused the heck out of me...but even so, it was beautiful and enjoyable...
I felt like I was lost throughout most of the book, just kind of getting what was going on, but not entirely. I tried to understand everything I was reading and was getting frustrated in my efforts. So, when I finally let go of trying to have everything make sense, I started to fully enjoy myself. Oddly, I have the feeling GB Gordon does this on purpose.
It sets itself up as this other-worldly fantasy book…motherships, planets, isolated colonies, new languages. But as you read through it, it feels entirely contemporary…as if you’re just in some small village in Mexico reading about how local policia handle a murder case. To fully enjoy it, you can't dwell too much on this shift...that's where I was getting confused and caught.
The world-building is subtle (like I said, I sometimes forgot it wasn’t in a completely familiar world). The relationship between the 2 main characters was also subtle: distrust, acquaintances, friendship, frustration, and eventually…more. Everything about the movement of this book was subtle...except the impact. The impact it has is like an itch you can’t quite get to but you’re dying to scratch. I want more. Can’t wait for more.
And Alex and Bengt are such interesting and likable characters...you want good things to happen to them! I want MORE OF THEM! :)
If this was a stand-alone, one-offer…I don’t know that I would have liked it so much. But, it’s clear (at least I hope so!), that there will be more books to the series. And with that hope, I’d say that Santuario is worth reading.
June 22, 2015
4.5 stars
Totally my kind of book with:
Great understated writing, story and crime solving. With our Alex and Bengt not being guys who wear their hearts on their sleeves - thank God. So I did not have emotions being thrust in my face and angst anxious to jerk out oh and ahs from me. But oh boy when the slow build up culminated at the end that was a hit.
I'm one who likes a slow build romance so this one, is like slow food for me. The fact that this was mainly a crime solving story with a relationship being built on the side makes it a winner for me.
The world created by Gordon has so many thinly disguised parallels with our own world. Whilst reading I was, oh that just like that time in Cuba, or that time in Russia, or that time in Argentina, or that time in Belgium or in Australia. I like the idea. The despair of the Santuarian world is palpable, yet the people have become so so resiliant. Whilst reading Sting's 'They Dance Alone' kept playing in my mind. At the same time Alex so reminds me of Renko of Gorky Park who is a favourite. So in my mind the Santuarian combination of Hispanic/Russian imagery was firmly fixed.
I do consider this a great start and I'm definitely going for seconds.
June 12, 2016
What a fantastic and unique setting. I don't actually know how to categorise it. Feels like a mesh-up of fantasy, mafia, and western, even with a hint of sci-fi technology :D What a lovely word building. This was really great.
The case was like a morass, where every step was a fight and a potential disaster.
In times of political change, Alex and Bengt have to work together to solve a series of murders. There wasn't a lame moment through the whole book. It was interesting to see the case develope and get solved. This is the main focus of the book and the very slowly developing romance between those two men only gives a second, yet very satisfying layer.
I found the differences in these two men remarkable and very well done. Coming from different species and backgrounds, both are their own, with different cultural backgrounds. But also their familial situations and upbringing make for a challenge. But they get under each other's skin in the end...
I can't repair my wall as fast as you tear it down.
I'm very much looking forward to the sequel... I know these two have a long way to go but I'm glad to be able to spend more time with them.
The case was like a morass, where every step was a fight and a potential disaster.
In times of political change, Alex and Bengt have to work together to solve a series of murders. There wasn't a lame moment through the whole book. It was interesting to see the case develope and get solved. This is the main focus of the book and the very slowly developing romance between those two men only gives a second, yet very satisfying layer.
I found the differences in these two men remarkable and very well done. Coming from different species and backgrounds, both are their own, with different cultural backgrounds. But also their familial situations and upbringing make for a challenge. But they get under each other's skin in the end...
I can't repair my wall as fast as you tear it down.
I'm very much looking forward to the sequel... I know these two have a long way to go but I'm glad to be able to spend more time with them.
January 22, 2015
a damn good story.
Edit, January 2015 after re-reading in anticipation of the sequel. :)
For the second time in a week, I find myself changing a star rating and adding to a review.
When I read this book last summer, I really enjoyed it, but for whatever reason, didn't take the time to articulate my thoughts in review form.
This book has stayed with me
This book has haunted me.
I've re-read it now at least four or five times, and I keep coming back to it because the story, the characters, the world-building are all so compelling, so richly and intimately drawn. This is G.B. Gordon's debut novel, and it is a masterpiece.
So, let's break down why it's so freaking good, shall we?
Worldbuilding: this is no wallpaper worldbuilding. The setting is vividly painted, the society in which Alex lives brutally, heart-wrenchingly described. Santuario is a gritty, violent place, and Alex Rukow is the product of his environment.
The mystery: completely enhanced by the worldbuilding, the mystery plot was really nicely done, and kept me interested the entire time. The pacing worked really well for me, and I didn't find it too transparent or unnecessarily convoluted.
The romance: One word: tension. Delicious, delicious tension heightened by one character's internalized homophobia makes this love story particularly poignant to me. When Alex's walls finally come down, the release of that tension is epic--and even though the love scene is more euphemistic than graphic, it is richly satisfying and poignant.
I highly recommend this story for lovers of smart science fiction with strong romantic elements.
Edit, January 2015 after re-reading in anticipation of the sequel. :)
For the second time in a week, I find myself changing a star rating and adding to a review.
When I read this book last summer, I really enjoyed it, but for whatever reason, didn't take the time to articulate my thoughts in review form.
This book has stayed with me
This book has haunted me.
I've re-read it now at least four or five times, and I keep coming back to it because the story, the characters, the world-building are all so compelling, so richly and intimately drawn. This is G.B. Gordon's debut novel, and it is a masterpiece.
So, let's break down why it's so freaking good, shall we?
Worldbuilding: this is no wallpaper worldbuilding. The setting is vividly painted, the society in which Alex lives brutally, heart-wrenchingly described. Santuario is a gritty, violent place, and Alex Rukow is the product of his environment.
The mystery: completely enhanced by the worldbuilding, the mystery plot was really nicely done, and kept me interested the entire time. The pacing worked really well for me, and I didn't find it too transparent or unnecessarily convoluted.
The romance: One word: tension. Delicious, delicious tension heightened by one character's internalized homophobia makes this love story particularly poignant to me. When Alex's walls finally come down, the release of that tension is epic--and even though the love scene is more euphemistic than graphic, it is richly satisfying and poignant.
I highly recommend this story for lovers of smart science fiction with strong romantic elements.
August 24, 2014
I enjoyed this. Very slow build romance (which could have been a lot more developed without overloading). Excellent worldbuilding and atmosphere. Great sense of threat and very real, painful violence. Will definitely read more by this author, this is hugely accomplished for a first novel.
August 26, 2018
Two hundred years ago, Alex Rukow's ancestors landed on a planet already inhabited by another Earth population called the Skanes. The Skane government banished the intruders to the isolate island that became Santuario. The Skanes enjoyed an organized, wealthy society, while Santuario was ruled by clans called familias. They lived a life of poverty. A life that was governed by threats and violence. It forged a society rich in warmth and brotherhood, while the Skanians were somewhat stilted, and regulated.
Alex is a policeman, who has never dealt with murder till now. He has to call in the assistance of a Skane investigator by the name of Bengt. Bengt is miserable with the assignment, but the higher ups see it as a way to start negotiations to open the way to integrate with the Santuarians. After all these years, many Skanes believe it is time to open their doors.
After an extremely cruel childhood, Alex only trusts himself. Working with Bengt, Alex begins to realize what trust, friendship and love are with another. Alex and Bengt embark on a journey that reveals much about each other and the societies they were born into.
April 16, 2015
Almost 3 years after I read this book for the first time, I have read it again. Sometimes books just claim a place in your heart. A place that you want to revisit because the journey there was so enjoyable.
This book had everything I love in a story, mystery, science fiction/fantasy, and m/m romance. It's a story of cultural shock, learning to trust a perceived enemy, and ultimately finding acceptance and love.
It's a slow building story, incorporating several story lines and a large cast of characters. I never found it difficult to follow the story, it flowed like the Latin music that played in my head as I read it.
Alex is a policeman, who has never dealt with murder till now. He has to call in the assistance of a Skane investigator by the name of Bengt. Bengt is miserable with the assignment, but the higher ups see it as a way to start negotiations to open the way to integrate with the Santuarians. After all these years, many Skanes believe it is time to open their doors.
After an extremely cruel childhood, Alex only trusts himself. Working with Bengt, Alex begins to realize what trust, friendship and love are with another. Alex and Bengt embark on a journey that reveals much about each other and the societies they were born into.
April 16, 2015
Almost 3 years after I read this book for the first time, I have read it again. Sometimes books just claim a place in your heart. A place that you want to revisit because the journey there was so enjoyable.
This book had everything I love in a story, mystery, science fiction/fantasy, and m/m romance. It's a story of cultural shock, learning to trust a perceived enemy, and ultimately finding acceptance and love.
It's a slow building story, incorporating several story lines and a large cast of characters. I never found it difficult to follow the story, it flowed like the Latin music that played in my head as I read it.
Read
September 16, 2012One of my favorite novels this year. A deeply claustrophobic, oppressive, immersive reading experience that grabs you by the scruff and doesn't let you go until you've made it, breathless, to the end. The author describes this book as "social fiction" and "a -topia between u- and dis-" and I think that's a great way to put it. Even though there were colony ships involved in these people's pasts, it's not really sci-fi; there's no high tech or aliens or space travel or any of that. It's more like Cuba meets the Netherlands, actually. Whatever you call it, it's FASCINATING. And enthralling. And also 25% off at Riptide, so seriously, u guise, I can't recommend this one highly enough. Grab it while it's cheap and discover a new author you'll want to stalk for the rest of your life :D
February 13, 2015
The world building was awesome Spaghetti western meets Russian mafia, and yet really familiar so that the sense of 'otherness' was grounded.
The suspense was great, the investigation, the characters and their backgrounds
the writing was excellent, I got lost in the subtlety and layers and at times it didn't seem important what was written (although of course it was) just that the beautiful language would continue.
However I found the romance did not work for me, perhaps because it happens really right at the end and I got a feeling that this was half, at least, of a whole ? I don't know.
Update - having read book 2, I have upgraded this to 4 stars, because everything now makes sense
Will definatley read the second book though
The suspense was great, the investigation, the characters and their backgrounds
the writing was excellent, I got lost in the subtlety and layers and at times it didn't seem important what was written (although of course it was) just that the beautiful language would continue.
However I found the romance did not work for me, perhaps because it happens really right at the end and I got a feeling that this was half, at least, of a whole ? I don't know.
Update - having read book 2, I have upgraded this to 4 stars, because everything now makes sense
Will definatley read the second book though
September 28, 2015
2.5 stars
I couldn’t connect with the writing for most of the book. For that reason, I think, I didn’t relate emotionally to the characters and their stories. All of that, however, changed for me in the last quarter of Santuario. There was a point in the story when the mystery started to untwine, Alex began to unravel, and I really liked everything that happened after that.
While reading (I believe) I logically understood the choices the author made for both Alex and Bengt’s reactions to each other as well as why they did what they did. Yet, I remained mostly emotionally unaffected and for the first ~75% of the book I thought the animosity between Alex and Bengt was overplayed and their reactions exaggerated. Even though there were reasons for Alex’s mistrust and I could see that Bengt’s genuine caring made unwanted cracks in Alex’s defenses, I found both their conflict and the beginning of their romance difficult to believe.
I wasn’t impressed with the world building from the beginning but as soon as the PoV switched to Bengt things went smoothly for me in that regard. He was a visitor on Santuario and the observations he made, his quick mind and empathy helped me understand the world better.
Despite my issues, I admit that I was intrigued enough to want to read the next book in the series and to see how Alex and Bengt’s relationship developed.
Spontaneous buddy read with Apeiron, Sep 2015
December 3, 2015
I found Santuario very well-built, but tedious to read. This is G.B. Gordon's first book and it's the kind of debut where an author can't yet let go of diligent world-building to focus on keeping the reader engaged. As far as debuts go, that's one of the least downside-y downsides you can get.
But it's tedious. To me.
I'm all about emotional connection with the characters and between characters. Even if a book, like Santuario, is mainly sci-fi/mystery/western/crime and romance is marginal. I need to care about those people in order to wade through pages upon pages of their not so excellent adventures.
I don't read crime or mystery books, they bore me to tears. But even the investigation here was done in the kind of way where everyone involved (except the bad guys) is just blindly fumbling through random conversations and confrontations equipped in only their earnestness and false bravado, until they blindly stumble into a clue.
The emotional parts of the story only come out of hiding in the last 20%, which is such a shame. Because the final confrontation of Alex with his family was outstanding. And I wouldn't even get to that part if it wasn't for my buddy Maya <3
All in all, this is a book for fans of South American crime lord stories. Veery little romance, sci-fi elements are disposable (IMHO). Other people loved it though. Consult them, not me.
But it's tedious. To me.
I'm all about emotional connection with the characters and between characters. Even if a book, like Santuario, is mainly sci-fi/mystery/western/crime and romance is marginal. I need to care about those people in order to wade through pages upon pages of their not so excellent adventures.
I don't read crime or mystery books, they bore me to tears. But even the investigation here was done in the kind of way where everyone involved (except the bad guys) is just blindly fumbling through random conversations and confrontations equipped in only their earnestness and false bravado, until they blindly stumble into a clue.
The emotional parts of the story only come out of hiding in the last 20%, which is such a shame. Because the final confrontation of Alex with his family was outstanding. And I wouldn't even get to that part if it wasn't for my buddy Maya <3
All in all, this is a book for fans of South American crime lord stories. Veery little romance, sci-fi elements are disposable (IMHO). Other people loved it though. Consult them, not me.
April 19, 2013
I have absolutely no idea where to even begin writing a review for this. It was just...different.
The setting and the world was very unique, although a little confusing at times with all the social standings. The descriptions were well written and vivid...even I could feel how hot it was in Santuario. I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope so the slow burn and sexual tension just worked for me.
Still there is a lot more story to be told and the hopeful-for-now ending made me smile. Looking forward to a sequel.
I'm giving it 4 stars because the mystery was just a bit too anticlimactic...but it did fit with the pace in Santuario.
The setting and the world was very unique, although a little confusing at times with all the social standings. The descriptions were well written and vivid...even I could feel how hot it was in Santuario. I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope so the slow burn and sexual tension just worked for me.
Still there is a lot more story to be told and the hopeful-for-now ending made me smile. Looking forward to a sequel.
I'm giving it 4 stars because the mystery was just a bit too anticlimactic...but it did fit with the pace in Santuario.
September 25, 2013
Fantastic. I don't have a better word for it.
Okay, so it took me the whole first chapter to become interested (I was confused by terms and names), but beyond that? Loved it.
Okay, again, weird to have a couple of Icelandic terms and then Scandinavian ones mixed together - it bothered me a little bit, but I was over it after a couple of more chapters.
And there was this one place where a couple of long paragraphs were suddenly written in third person present tense (instead of third person past) - and important scene (!!) which threw me off, but the rest I absolutely loved. This has to be the weirdest review in history of reviews *blush*
I liked the two different worlds and the descriptions of Santuario. I liked the characters - both alpha men. I liked the mystery and the slow building of attraction. There could have been a little more of the two together (another chapter?), but since this is the first in the series I'm hoping to see more passion between the guys in a later book.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
Okay, so it took me the whole first chapter to become interested (I was confused by terms and names), but beyond that? Loved it.
Okay, again, weird to have a couple of Icelandic terms and then Scandinavian ones mixed together - it bothered me a little bit, but I was over it after a couple of more chapters.
And there was this one place where a couple of long paragraphs were suddenly written in third person present tense (instead of third person past) - and important scene (!!) which threw me off, but the rest I absolutely loved. This has to be the weirdest review in history of reviews *blush*
I liked the two different worlds and the descriptions of Santuario. I liked the characters - both alpha men. I liked the mystery and the slow building of attraction. There could have been a little more of the two together (another chapter?), but since this is the first in the series I'm hoping to see more passion between the guys in a later book.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
November 13, 2012
Now I chose this book for one reason and ended up liking it for entirely different reasons. It tricked me- in a good way. I can't quite blame those who did up the blurb and put it under a certain genre because truthfully it is probably under the right genre and was described well in the blurb, but-
It really does belong in the Sci-Fi genre because the story takes place on an earth-like planet with two human colonist groups arriving at separate times from earth. The group who was there first got the best of everything and have an upper-class attitude about the smaller group who arrived later and were given a remote hostile island to settle. The second group don't have the advantages of choice land or resources so their society system is different.
Now here's where it gets interesting. Once I got into the story, it didn't have a Sci-Fi feel for me. I felt like I was reading about two cultures here on earth- one first world and one third world- with a chance after a couple hundred years for the wealthier country to think about opening its borders and giving the smaller dependent territory representation in government.
To add to this, its not just a general fiction about two cultures and people groups. It is also an intriguing murder mystery and political thriller. The story opens on the island of Santuario where a murder victim is discovered with odd characteristics. The local police authorities follow procedure and call in the special investigative unit from the main land. This teams up a Santurian and a Skanian investigative team for the first time. These two men are not interested in making history. In fact, at first they just get on each other's last nerves because they don't understand when they're breaking a cultural taboo or just touch a personal hot button. Both have past histories that need redeeming and this is their big chance. Alex and Bengt soon learn that they are not dealing with a simple murder.
Bengt is now working in a world so foreign to what he knows that he must trust Alex to guide them through the morass of dangerous politics on Santuario. Nothing could prepare him for the living conditions, the might and corruption of the military districts controlled by mafia-like families, or the feelings he must suppress for his partner. Alex has serious trust issues and he walks in fear constantly from the military goons who are led by his own father. He suspects that this case and working with his ignorant colleague from the mainland will be the death of him- literally. And if that isn't enough pressure, he can't work out his personal feelings about Bengt.
So, yes, this plot was a surprise and a delightful one at that. I enjoyed following along as the two guys worked at solving their case, as the intriguing secrets behind different things came to light and as that subtle hint of romance blossomed into something toward the end. Like I said, I really didn't get the usual Sci-Fi vibe off this one and felt more like I was just dealing with a dystopian that takes place on a different earth and isn't really that either because it was a murder mystery most of the time. As to the romance, it runs a definite back seat to the other aspects of the plot though it is there tugging at the two guys the whole time.
The characters were fascinating creations because it is in their descriptions and thought processes that I got to know not only them, but the cultural differences they represented. It was cool to see them grow to understand each other and make their differences strengths instead of weaknesses. Secondary characters were always mysterious and suspect which made me watch them very closely as I read. I liked how there were no obvious 'white' hat good guys or 'black' hat bad guys because things weren't always what they seemed. And that made all the characterizations good to my way of thinking.
The only part I found disappointing was the ending. I wanted things neatly wrapped up in a bow. While the case is solved, the relationship between the two men is left dangling a little with just a promise of something good, but later. Then I saw that this is the beginning of a series so I'll reserve judgment to see if the resolution comes later.
I can recommend this to people who come from a variety of genre preferences since it would have appeal to the Sci-Fi reader, the mystery lover and those who like slow to build romance.
Copy received courtesy of Net Galley for review purposes
It really does belong in the Sci-Fi genre because the story takes place on an earth-like planet with two human colonist groups arriving at separate times from earth. The group who was there first got the best of everything and have an upper-class attitude about the smaller group who arrived later and were given a remote hostile island to settle. The second group don't have the advantages of choice land or resources so their society system is different.
Now here's where it gets interesting. Once I got into the story, it didn't have a Sci-Fi feel for me. I felt like I was reading about two cultures here on earth- one first world and one third world- with a chance after a couple hundred years for the wealthier country to think about opening its borders and giving the smaller dependent territory representation in government.
To add to this, its not just a general fiction about two cultures and people groups. It is also an intriguing murder mystery and political thriller. The story opens on the island of Santuario where a murder victim is discovered with odd characteristics. The local police authorities follow procedure and call in the special investigative unit from the main land. This teams up a Santurian and a Skanian investigative team for the first time. These two men are not interested in making history. In fact, at first they just get on each other's last nerves because they don't understand when they're breaking a cultural taboo or just touch a personal hot button. Both have past histories that need redeeming and this is their big chance. Alex and Bengt soon learn that they are not dealing with a simple murder.
Bengt is now working in a world so foreign to what he knows that he must trust Alex to guide them through the morass of dangerous politics on Santuario. Nothing could prepare him for the living conditions, the might and corruption of the military districts controlled by mafia-like families, or the feelings he must suppress for his partner. Alex has serious trust issues and he walks in fear constantly from the military goons who are led by his own father. He suspects that this case and working with his ignorant colleague from the mainland will be the death of him- literally. And if that isn't enough pressure, he can't work out his personal feelings about Bengt.
So, yes, this plot was a surprise and a delightful one at that. I enjoyed following along as the two guys worked at solving their case, as the intriguing secrets behind different things came to light and as that subtle hint of romance blossomed into something toward the end. Like I said, I really didn't get the usual Sci-Fi vibe off this one and felt more like I was just dealing with a dystopian that takes place on a different earth and isn't really that either because it was a murder mystery most of the time. As to the romance, it runs a definite back seat to the other aspects of the plot though it is there tugging at the two guys the whole time.
The characters were fascinating creations because it is in their descriptions and thought processes that I got to know not only them, but the cultural differences they represented. It was cool to see them grow to understand each other and make their differences strengths instead of weaknesses. Secondary characters were always mysterious and suspect which made me watch them very closely as I read. I liked how there were no obvious 'white' hat good guys or 'black' hat bad guys because things weren't always what they seemed. And that made all the characterizations good to my way of thinking.
The only part I found disappointing was the ending. I wanted things neatly wrapped up in a bow. While the case is solved, the relationship between the two men is left dangling a little with just a promise of something good, but later. Then I saw that this is the beginning of a series so I'll reserve judgment to see if the resolution comes later.
I can recommend this to people who come from a variety of genre preferences since it would have appeal to the Sci-Fi reader, the mystery lover and those who like slow to build romance.
Copy received courtesy of Net Galley for review purposes
October 9, 2012
4.5 stars
First let me explain that I am not a fan of science fiction. Not in movies or in books, so when I read "their generation ship landed on the planet", that right there was the first hurdle. Then add to it the fact that this book is more a Mystery/Suspense than a Romance and that the author, G.B. Gordon, was unknown to me and I really started to have my doubts.
"I'm sure I don't know any more about your world than you about ours. We're too isolated from each other to change that."I saw this book, then I read the blurb and hesitated. Do I read it? The little voice in the back of my head was insistent, reminding that this book would be a challenge for me and dared me to step up. So I did, and I really liked it which surprised the hell out of me!
First let me explain that I am not a fan of science fiction. Not in movies or in books, so when I read "their generation ship landed on the planet", that right there was the first hurdle. Then add to it the fact that this book is more a Mystery/Suspense than a Romance and that the author, G.B. Gordon, was unknown to me and I really started to have my doubts.
"He knew he should have kept his distance. You didn't give others a chance to leave you or hurt you."However, as soon as I started the book I was hooked. The author threw me right into the world of Santuario where I first meet Alex. Through his initial investigation into the body that was found, I learned a lot more about Santuario and about him. I liked him right away. He came across as a no-nonsense kind of guy, but really he just wanted to find that 'something' that would make him happy. I got the impression that he went through the motions but he never really lived. Since his past was filled with pain and abuse, I could understand where he was coming from. And as the story progressed I was thrilled with his development - how he eventually opened to Bengt and just stopped building his wall against getting close to him.
"Oh, come on, Alex. If you raise that wall any higher you're going to run out of bricks."Bengt was an amazing character too. He came across as such a huge, strong guy but really he was even more open about his feelings and very understanding about the people in Santuario and the differences between them. He had a temper to watch out for, but really he was adorable. He really believed in making connections and interacting and although it was difficult for him to accept that Alex was closed off he understood and put up with it. And I really had to admire him for that because at times I found myself wanting to shake some sense into Alex for his behavior and his constant withdrawal from Bengt.
"Welcome to Santuario"This world the author created with the Securitas, the Santuarians and the Skanians was very interesting to read. I appreciated the pace of the writing because there was a lot of information to go through and a lot of new terms to deal with. I felt a bit confused at first, but then got into it and it flowed nicely from there. The writing was very clear and precise and the plot kept me guessing all throughout. I read 60% of the book without interruption - I was that captivated with it! The only mishap - and I don't know if it's a formatting problem - is that there wasn't a clearly defined transition from Alex's present point of view and his flashbacks. It was just presented without the usual markings (italics, indentation, etc.) and that made it very confusing to follow.
"He realized he was well on the way to falling in love with a man who was different in every respect, and he had to idea how to stop himself."This has been classified as Romantic Suspense but to me is more a Mystery/Suspense with some Romance undertones thrown in the mix. Aside from the mystery and the world building of Santuario, I think this book establishes Alex and Bengt's friendship. It makes them confront their past, accept their differences and hope for something more. The one scene when they do get together was very passionate. It was told from Alex's point of view which made it that much more enjoyable. It wasn't explicit in any way, but what was written was both beautiful and emotional. I hope to see more romance from these two, it would make for a fantastic read.
"I can't repair my wall as fast as you tear it down."Will these two men from different origins come together and find the happiness they so desperately want? What obstacles will they have to overcome? These are just a couple of the questions I was left with. I am hoping that they will get answered in the next book. I am looking forward to it. This book was a great start to a new series.
May 16, 2015
I read this backwards, you know? Haha. I read first the second book, and then the first. I think it affected ,y understanding of the world that G.B Gordon created more than my understanding of the relationship between Bengt and Alex.
The main focus of this book is not the romance, though wha brews beneath all the political stuff really is beautiful and romantic. What you will see most here is a clash of worlds, and cultures. Sanitation reminded me so much of my Mexico. From the unbearable heat to the political structure of the place. I found myself nodding in agreement more often that I would have liked because it reflected the difficult side of my country, my people. Yet, there is where the beauty of this book comes from. Everything is highly respectful. The truth is set there but never in an insulting, cliched manner. On the contrary.
The whole thing revolves around a series of murders, and that is how Bengt is sent off to Santuario to help solve the mystery. When he meets Alex he doesn't know what to make of him. Alex, with his walks up high, and being so bottled up all the time. Alex, with his learnt judgments and fears, and his struggles to learn to see it all I'm a different light. Bengt with his free soul and free life. Freedom to see, be, have, love. They really shake up each other's worlds and ideologies. Their romance builds slow. So deliciously slow. I mean, really, you don't see them kiss until almost the end of the book, but I LOVED that.
The writing is beautiful. Superb. The characters are strong and defined. The world is complex. I guess it can be difficult to understand, but since I identified so much with the life in Santuario, it came easy to me. The whole thing is widely interesting, and beautiful in a raw way.
Alex reminded me a lot of my husband. Way too much. So I grew to care about him in a different, more complex way.
Read this, because it is worth it. Just when you do it know that this is a slow build up, but worth it.
The main focus of this book is not the romance, though wha brews beneath all the political stuff really is beautiful and romantic. What you will see most here is a clash of worlds, and cultures. Sanitation reminded me so much of my Mexico. From the unbearable heat to the political structure of the place. I found myself nodding in agreement more often that I would have liked because it reflected the difficult side of my country, my people. Yet, there is where the beauty of this book comes from. Everything is highly respectful. The truth is set there but never in an insulting, cliched manner. On the contrary.
The whole thing revolves around a series of murders, and that is how Bengt is sent off to Santuario to help solve the mystery. When he meets Alex he doesn't know what to make of him. Alex, with his walks up high, and being so bottled up all the time. Alex, with his learnt judgments and fears, and his struggles to learn to see it all I'm a different light. Bengt with his free soul and free life. Freedom to see, be, have, love. They really shake up each other's worlds and ideologies. Their romance builds slow. So deliciously slow. I mean, really, you don't see them kiss until almost the end of the book, but I LOVED that.
The writing is beautiful. Superb. The characters are strong and defined. The world is complex. I guess it can be difficult to understand, but since I identified so much with the life in Santuario, it came easy to me. The whole thing is widely interesting, and beautiful in a raw way.
Alex reminded me a lot of my husband. Way too much. So I grew to care about him in a different, more complex way.
Read this, because it is worth it. Just when you do it know that this is a slow build up, but worth it.
October 11, 2012
So incredible. I started reading this and literally did not want to put it down. Highly recommended. Can't wait for more in this series (hopefully?) and from Gordon in general.
August 9, 2024
Less MM romance, more sci-fi police procedural, this was an interesting read that trusts its audience to just keep up. Set in the far future on a distant planet colonized by 2 distinct cultures, one of which is treated like an interloper and so is quarantined on an inhospitable little island while the dominant culture makes the rules. There was definitely some commentary there about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, which maybe I'm just more sensitive to because of the current state of the world at the moment. In any case, we have this fully realized world that we are dropped into and a lot of other readers felt confused by it, if the other reviews are anything to go by. But I thought it was quite refreshing to have to figure things out without too much exposition.
Anyway, the plot of the story revolves around a series of murders on the island, which requires our MCs, a policeman called Alex, to involve the mainland police. His partner ends up being Bengt, an openly gay officer who just completely upends Alex's life. The romance is extremely slow burn and low steam, but the simmering tension between them was a treat.
It's not a super exciting book, and it was pretty bleak for the most part. But I enjoyed the read mostly for the culture clash and how it mirrors some parts of the world today (even if it was published more than 10 years ago). The ending is very much up in the air, so now I have to commit to reading the sequel.
Anyway, the plot of the story revolves around a series of murders on the island, which requires our MCs, a policeman called Alex, to involve the mainland police. His partner ends up being Bengt, an openly gay officer who just completely upends Alex's life. The romance is extremely slow burn and low steam, but the simmering tension between them was a treat.
It's not a super exciting book, and it was pretty bleak for the most part. But I enjoyed the read mostly for the culture clash and how it mirrors some parts of the world today (even if it was published more than 10 years ago). The ending is very much up in the air, so now I have to commit to reading the sequel.
September 1, 2016
Hmmm... glad to see there is a follow up to this one, because the ending was a bit..abrupt. And think more Spanish western than sci-fi aliens...
This story was a Fantasy January Pick-It-For-Me BOM, and i actually put it off for a bit, as i couldnt tell from the blurb if i was going to be able to get into it. But, this one had me going in circles and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed it, surprisingly, more than I thought I would. I was forced to concentrate, and had to get rid of distractions to stay in the story.
It took work trying to understand what was going on. Its not a lightweight read, most definitely. And the world-building/ set-up of the Santuarion society was very fascinating, even down to the differences in climate. There's a lot of politics and violence, and I cringed and flinched for Alex sooo much! I was really starting to hate Luiz, grrrrr!
I like the way the authors dealt with the MCs fumbling through their way of communicating...or not. Was very believable. And the preconceived ideas of how different their worlds were, their ideas of family, what connection meant to them. Or lack of in Alex's case, and what it meant as far as coping skills. Alex had to be so very lonely.
I really liked both MCs, and didn't actually expect to when I started reading. I only figured it out in closing *smile* And the way bits of some form of Spanish was used as the Santuarion's language was interesting..and I actually saw Bengt as a big ol' Swede or Norwegian LOL.
This book dealt very well with prejudices, and the idea of hope. It was very much a suspense, and was a challenge trying to figure out who were really the 'bad' guys. I would definitely recommend it as a good mystery read with an old 'western' feel, but think it can't be fully appreciated unless you follow up with the next in the series. Which, of course, I have to get now *waiting for word of release date, impatiently*
Thank you for the rec @Wart :)
This story was a Fantasy January Pick-It-For-Me BOM, and i actually put it off for a bit, as i couldnt tell from the blurb if i was going to be able to get into it. But, this one had me going in circles and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed it, surprisingly, more than I thought I would. I was forced to concentrate, and had to get rid of distractions to stay in the story.
It took work trying to understand what was going on. Its not a lightweight read, most definitely. And the world-building/ set-up of the Santuarion society was very fascinating, even down to the differences in climate. There's a lot of politics and violence, and I cringed and flinched for Alex sooo much! I was really starting to hate Luiz, grrrrr!
I like the way the authors dealt with the MCs fumbling through their way of communicating...or not. Was very believable. And the preconceived ideas of how different their worlds were, their ideas of family, what connection meant to them. Or lack of in Alex's case, and what it meant as far as coping skills. Alex had to be so very lonely.
I really liked both MCs, and didn't actually expect to when I started reading. I only figured it out in closing *smile* And the way bits of some form of Spanish was used as the Santuarion's language was interesting..and I actually saw Bengt as a big ol' Swede or Norwegian LOL.
This book dealt very well with prejudices, and the idea of hope. It was very much a suspense, and was a challenge trying to figure out who were really the 'bad' guys. I would definitely recommend it as a good mystery read with an old 'western' feel, but think it can't be fully appreciated unless you follow up with the next in the series. Which, of course, I have to get now *waiting for word of release date, impatiently*
Thank you for the rec @Wart :)
October 10, 2012
Found this really hard going. Not much seemed to happen and I kept waiting for feelings between the main characters develop into something smokin. Not keen and such a grim setting with no moments to lighten it up.
November 16, 2012
A Slow-Building, Unique Surprise
It's called Santuario. Rocked by poverty, ruled by powerful and corrupt familias, the southern island is populated by a race of people who landed on the planet two hundred years ago. Santuario became their home...though reservation may be a more accurate term.
The Skanians, themselves long settled on the planet, banished them to Santuario out of fear and distrust. Two hundred years later, that decision has bred discontent and shame among the Skanians and change is in the air. The political climate is heated, and while there are Skanians who want to keep the walls raised high between the two cultures, none are as adamant about maintaining the status quo as the brutal heads of the familias.
They are, without a doubt, adamant enough to kill to get their way, but they wouldn't leave a corpse around for the police to stumble across. They are too well versed at disposing of their enemies, especially as crimes like murder are reported to the Skanians. None of the familias want that.
No, the dead body that police tentiente Alex Rukow is called to investigate is a victim of something else entirely. All he knows is the entire case feels like one huge, potentially deadly nightmare. One that will be bringing the Skanians to Santuario and putting Alex directly in their path, as he's one of the few on the island who can speak their language.
When the Skanian investigator Bengt shows up, surly and huge and sick from the heat, Alex has every intention of washing his hands of the whole of the investigation and leaving it to the huge blond man. Then a second victim is discovered, and with it, a whole new range of far-reaching implications and deadly danger. Investigating what is fast becoming a complex and complicated case is definitely bad for his life expectancy, but the longer Alex and Bengt work together, the more Alex likes the man he's working with and the more determined he becomes to see this through to the end.
In ways, perhaps, that could bring more danger to both men than all the familias' fury combined.
~*~
I liked this book very much, but to be honest, it wasn't exactly love-at-first-sight. I had to work at it. In fact, there were several times in the first quarter of the book that I debated leaving it unfinished. The world was very sparsely defined and confusing, the murder investigation didn't do much for me from the beginning because I was missing so much of the context, and the overwhelming presence of Santuarian words (obviously heavy on the Spanish influence) in the narrative made it very difficult to fully grasp what I was reading and killed any chance of a smooth, flowing reading experience.
Not to mention it gave my embarrassingly shoddy high school-level Spanish comprehension a workout.
There really was only one reason I kept muddling through the tough spots until the story picked up for me, but it was a very good reason: Alex Rukow. He was an insular, solitary main character, that's for sure; an intriguing mix of jaded cynicism, hopeless ambivalence, tense apprehension, and wary doggedness. I just couldn't seem to stop reading about him. Intelligent, painfully resigned, surprisingly kind and generous...but so bruised by life and world-weary in a way that painted its own layer of complexity on his character, I found him utterly compelling.
For all that optimism left Alex behind a long, long time ago, there was a long-suffering sense of justice, fairness, and honesty about him that appealed. And kept appealing long enough for me to meet the other reason I didn't put the book down.
Bengt. He is light to Alex's dark, and I'm not talking about skin tone. From the moment Bengt stepped onto Santuario, he was the perfect compliment to the other man. His slightly superior attitude, the disdain he has for the heat and accommodations, his temper, and the frustration he feels with Alex's apparent apathy to life in general and the case in particular all combined to make him stand out like a vibrant, Viking-esque bastion of all things Alex doesn't have it in him to be.
There is an veritable cornucopia of problems between the two men from the very moment of their introduction. Their differences were profound and absolute, and watching them bridge the distance first to work together, then to forge the bonds that lead to the slowly-evolving relationship between them proved, for me, to be the most captivating and entertaining aspect of the entire book.
I was especially fascinated by the differences in their sexuality. The openly gay Bengt comes from a place where there is no stigma at all to being so, and Alex was raised in a place where it is considered such an unspeakable sin that he hadn't once even pondered the merest possibility that he was anything but a vaguely disinterested heterosexual. Which, really, spoke for itself in all sorts of deliciously subtle and foreshadowy ways from very early in the story.
The evolution of their characters and the slow, sometimes painful process of two such disparate personalities finding common ground and working together, then coming together, is where I felt the core power of the book really lies. I did enjoy seeing Santuario slowly expose its dark, corrupt, gritty underbelly as the investigation proceeded, though. Those elements gained greater and greater appeal as I gleaned enough information about the world the characters inhabit to better put things in perspective.
Romance lovers should be warned that a romance between Alex and Bengt is never the focus of the book and those plot threads are ancillary at best. Though there is sex in the book, it's by no means plentiful and what there is is mostly brushed over and written in carefully euphemistic ways. As a result, this book struck me more as an intriguing, complex journey of two very different men who come to realize they offer each other far more than either one of them knew they needed, as opposed to a more traditional-style romance novel.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
It's called Santuario. Rocked by poverty, ruled by powerful and corrupt familias, the southern island is populated by a race of people who landed on the planet two hundred years ago. Santuario became their home...though reservation may be a more accurate term.
The Skanians, themselves long settled on the planet, banished them to Santuario out of fear and distrust. Two hundred years later, that decision has bred discontent and shame among the Skanians and change is in the air. The political climate is heated, and while there are Skanians who want to keep the walls raised high between the two cultures, none are as adamant about maintaining the status quo as the brutal heads of the familias.
They are, without a doubt, adamant enough to kill to get their way, but they wouldn't leave a corpse around for the police to stumble across. They are too well versed at disposing of their enemies, especially as crimes like murder are reported to the Skanians. None of the familias want that.
No, the dead body that police tentiente Alex Rukow is called to investigate is a victim of something else entirely. All he knows is the entire case feels like one huge, potentially deadly nightmare. One that will be bringing the Skanians to Santuario and putting Alex directly in their path, as he's one of the few on the island who can speak their language.
When the Skanian investigator Bengt shows up, surly and huge and sick from the heat, Alex has every intention of washing his hands of the whole of the investigation and leaving it to the huge blond man. Then a second victim is discovered, and with it, a whole new range of far-reaching implications and deadly danger. Investigating what is fast becoming a complex and complicated case is definitely bad for his life expectancy, but the longer Alex and Bengt work together, the more Alex likes the man he's working with and the more determined he becomes to see this through to the end.
In ways, perhaps, that could bring more danger to both men than all the familias' fury combined.
~*~
I liked this book very much, but to be honest, it wasn't exactly love-at-first-sight. I had to work at it. In fact, there were several times in the first quarter of the book that I debated leaving it unfinished. The world was very sparsely defined and confusing, the murder investigation didn't do much for me from the beginning because I was missing so much of the context, and the overwhelming presence of Santuarian words (obviously heavy on the Spanish influence) in the narrative made it very difficult to fully grasp what I was reading and killed any chance of a smooth, flowing reading experience.
Not to mention it gave my embarrassingly shoddy high school-level Spanish comprehension a workout.
There really was only one reason I kept muddling through the tough spots until the story picked up for me, but it was a very good reason: Alex Rukow. He was an insular, solitary main character, that's for sure; an intriguing mix of jaded cynicism, hopeless ambivalence, tense apprehension, and wary doggedness. I just couldn't seem to stop reading about him. Intelligent, painfully resigned, surprisingly kind and generous...but so bruised by life and world-weary in a way that painted its own layer of complexity on his character, I found him utterly compelling.
For all that optimism left Alex behind a long, long time ago, there was a long-suffering sense of justice, fairness, and honesty about him that appealed. And kept appealing long enough for me to meet the other reason I didn't put the book down.
Bengt. He is light to Alex's dark, and I'm not talking about skin tone. From the moment Bengt stepped onto Santuario, he was the perfect compliment to the other man. His slightly superior attitude, the disdain he has for the heat and accommodations, his temper, and the frustration he feels with Alex's apparent apathy to life in general and the case in particular all combined to make him stand out like a vibrant, Viking-esque bastion of all things Alex doesn't have it in him to be.
There is an veritable cornucopia of problems between the two men from the very moment of their introduction. Their differences were profound and absolute, and watching them bridge the distance first to work together, then to forge the bonds that lead to the slowly-evolving relationship between them proved, for me, to be the most captivating and entertaining aspect of the entire book.
I was especially fascinated by the differences in their sexuality. The openly gay Bengt comes from a place where there is no stigma at all to being so, and Alex was raised in a place where it is considered such an unspeakable sin that he hadn't once even pondered the merest possibility that he was anything but a vaguely disinterested heterosexual. Which, really, spoke for itself in all sorts of deliciously subtle and foreshadowy ways from very early in the story.
The evolution of their characters and the slow, sometimes painful process of two such disparate personalities finding common ground and working together, then coming together, is where I felt the core power of the book really lies. I did enjoy seeing Santuario slowly expose its dark, corrupt, gritty underbelly as the investigation proceeded, though. Those elements gained greater and greater appeal as I gleaned enough information about the world the characters inhabit to better put things in perspective.
Romance lovers should be warned that a romance between Alex and Bengt is never the focus of the book and those plot threads are ancillary at best. Though there is sex in the book, it's by no means plentiful and what there is is mostly brushed over and written in carefully euphemistic ways. As a result, this book struck me more as an intriguing, complex journey of two very different men who come to realize they offer each other far more than either one of them knew they needed, as opposed to a more traditional-style romance novel.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
October 11, 2012
(This review was originally published on Book Lovers Inc)
I’m always worried when I try a new author. I can count on my fingers the number of times I blindly trusted it would be worth my time and/or that I wouldn’t end up slowly rocking, curled up in a ball. As it is, I trusted Riptide Publishing to publish a book of quality. Suffice it to say I’m glad I did! Santuario is the first book of a new series by G.B Gordon and this is their debut novel. See it was risky on many levels!
If you want to enjoy Santuario, I think you just need to trust that the author will get you where you need to be. Don’t try to make sense of it all from the first page. It’s a new world, new rules and even if you feel a bit lost, it’ll all make sense. At least that’s how I felt about it. I think one of the best thing about this book is that the author isn’t trying to dump all the world-building on you in the first chapter. This is often a problem with 1st books in series set in a different world. All you need to know is that there are 2 different civilizations, the Skanians who arrived first on the planet, and the people from Santuario, who arrived afterward and who have been secluded ever since to the Island now called Santuario . Most of the time I felt like I was in Bengt shoes. When he arrives on Santuario to investigate a murder he doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. We get to understand how Santuario works, pieces by pieces much like him. This is really something I loved. I don’t like feeling like I’m the only one not getting it, but here I could recognize myself in Bengt. He was just as lost as I was We really get to understand both civilizations through the eyes of Bengt and Alex. See my point? Just trust the author!
The Skanians Vs the people from Santuario is pretty much the North vs the South. Santuario is ruled by the Familias, while they give the illusion of a real government to the outside world, they actually do what they want. Their island, their rules. It’s a very brutal world they live in.
Alex is part of the Santuarian police but since the Familias rule the country and enforce their own ‘Justice’ , he’s never had before to investigate a murder. The Skanians send Bengt to investigate with Alex and that’s when the fun begins. The 2 of them couldn’t be more different. Bengt grew up in a world where friendship and family is what builds a person. No one would ever consider him different for being Gay. Alex on the other hand, has always been on his own. His brutal childhood and the violent world he lives him forced him to be self-reliant. He built a wall around him to protect himself. No one on Santuario would even think it possible to be openly Gay, that would be the fastest way to be killed.
Alex never even considered that there’s a very easy explanation as to why he doesn’t feel whole when he’s with a woman. Homophobia (or at least the fear linked to this concept) has been ingrained in his mind from birth. He is a very strong person. Child abuse didn’t prevent him from being a strong-headed man. He never really gives up. Even when he knows he’ll end up beaten to a pulp. I really admire him.
Bengt is a piece of work. This gorgeous giant is not the most patient person in the world. I loved that he was often THIS close to loosing it. Many times he just balls his fists trying not to punch Alex. He is very honest and open about his feelings. I really loved that about him, he tried to talk things out to understand what is going on. You can see how this could be a clash of cultures with Alex. Alex avoids confrontation, he either flees or hides behind a wall of silence. There’s a quote that really touched me. This is something Alex finally conceded to Bengt and it felt like a victory :
I admit I was fascinated by the investigation but I didn’t really care who was the killer. It was mostly interesting because we finally got to see all the players in the game. Alex’s world is a complicated one. His relationship with Luis is a fucked up one. I wanted to hate Luis (well I did hate him) but he ended up being more complex than meets the eyes. I should also mention that I’ve recently developed an addiction to the Big violent Russian thug type so I couldn’t help but like Leonid. Yes if you’ve read the book you must be thinking that I’m crazy. It’s okay, I know I am
I realize this review is getting very long but I really loved this story. It was highly original and I felt transported to a different world. You can really experience how claustrophobic it feels to live on Santuario. There’s no escaping the Familias and their enforcers.
Now I need to explain why it wasn’t a 5 stars read for me. The ending. Seriously, if this book had been a stand-alone novel the rating would have gone down a whole star. Why? Because I didn’t care for the ending, it felt rushed and incomplete. But since this is the start of a series I’m very excited to see what happen next. Yes we got some kind of ending but this budding relationship really is just that…budding! I need mooooooooore. I actually understand why it went this way. I would probably have complained if the 2 characters has rushed into something together. Alex needs time to understand himself and what he wants. Anyway I will stop now because I could go on forever
Santuario is a fascinating story. It’s a great start for a new series, highly original and very well written, it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I will be impatiently awaiting the next book. G.B. Gordon is an author I will definitely follow closely.
I give Santuario 4.5 Stars
I’m always worried when I try a new author. I can count on my fingers the number of times I blindly trusted it would be worth my time and/or that I wouldn’t end up slowly rocking, curled up in a ball. As it is, I trusted Riptide Publishing to publish a book of quality. Suffice it to say I’m glad I did! Santuario is the first book of a new series by G.B Gordon and this is their debut novel. See it was risky on many levels!
If you want to enjoy Santuario, I think you just need to trust that the author will get you where you need to be. Don’t try to make sense of it all from the first page. It’s a new world, new rules and even if you feel a bit lost, it’ll all make sense. At least that’s how I felt about it. I think one of the best thing about this book is that the author isn’t trying to dump all the world-building on you in the first chapter. This is often a problem with 1st books in series set in a different world. All you need to know is that there are 2 different civilizations, the Skanians who arrived first on the planet, and the people from Santuario, who arrived afterward and who have been secluded ever since to the Island now called Santuario . Most of the time I felt like I was in Bengt shoes. When he arrives on Santuario to investigate a murder he doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. We get to understand how Santuario works, pieces by pieces much like him. This is really something I loved. I don’t like feeling like I’m the only one not getting it, but here I could recognize myself in Bengt. He was just as lost as I was We really get to understand both civilizations through the eyes of Bengt and Alex. See my point? Just trust the author!
The Skanians Vs the people from Santuario is pretty much the North vs the South. Santuario is ruled by the Familias, while they give the illusion of a real government to the outside world, they actually do what they want. Their island, their rules. It’s a very brutal world they live in.
Alex is part of the Santuarian police but since the Familias rule the country and enforce their own ‘Justice’ , he’s never had before to investigate a murder. The Skanians send Bengt to investigate with Alex and that’s when the fun begins. The 2 of them couldn’t be more different. Bengt grew up in a world where friendship and family is what builds a person. No one would ever consider him different for being Gay. Alex on the other hand, has always been on his own. His brutal childhood and the violent world he lives him forced him to be self-reliant. He built a wall around him to protect himself. No one on Santuario would even think it possible to be openly Gay, that would be the fastest way to be killed.
Alex never even considered that there’s a very easy explanation as to why he doesn’t feel whole when he’s with a woman. Homophobia (or at least the fear linked to this concept) has been ingrained in his mind from birth. He is a very strong person. Child abuse didn’t prevent him from being a strong-headed man. He never really gives up. Even when he knows he’ll end up beaten to a pulp. I really admire him.
Bengt is a piece of work. This gorgeous giant is not the most patient person in the world. I loved that he was often THIS close to loosing it. Many times he just balls his fists trying not to punch Alex. He is very honest and open about his feelings. I really loved that about him, he tried to talk things out to understand what is going on. You can see how this could be a clash of cultures with Alex. Alex avoids confrontation, he either flees or hides behind a wall of silence. There’s a quote that really touched me. This is something Alex finally conceded to Bengt and it felt like a victory :
'I can’t repair my wall as fast as you can tear it down.'
I admit I was fascinated by the investigation but I didn’t really care who was the killer. It was mostly interesting because we finally got to see all the players in the game. Alex’s world is a complicated one. His relationship with Luis is a fucked up one. I wanted to hate Luis (well I did hate him) but he ended up being more complex than meets the eyes. I should also mention that I’ve recently developed an addiction to the Big violent Russian thug type so I couldn’t help but like Leonid. Yes if you’ve read the book you must be thinking that I’m crazy. It’s okay, I know I am
I realize this review is getting very long but I really loved this story. It was highly original and I felt transported to a different world. You can really experience how claustrophobic it feels to live on Santuario. There’s no escaping the Familias and their enforcers.
Now I need to explain why it wasn’t a 5 stars read for me. The ending. Seriously, if this book had been a stand-alone novel the rating would have gone down a whole star. Why? Because I didn’t care for the ending, it felt rushed and incomplete. But since this is the start of a series I’m very excited to see what happen next. Yes we got some kind of ending but this budding relationship really is just that…budding! I need mooooooooore. I actually understand why it went this way. I would probably have complained if the 2 characters has rushed into something together. Alex needs time to understand himself and what he wants. Anyway I will stop now because I could go on forever
Santuario is a fascinating story. It’s a great start for a new series, highly original and very well written, it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I will be impatiently awaiting the next book. G.B. Gordon is an author I will definitely follow closely.
I give Santuario 4.5 Stars
October 24, 2012
3.75 stars
It's always exciting for me to review an author's first novel. In this case, it was even more so, because I am a fan of all speculative fiction and the premise really sounded exciting. In the end, while I enjoyed some elements of the story, the others were completely drowned by the dreary atmosphere, the likable protagonists were not enough to sell me the romance and the ending didn't fit the rest of the story. But, let's start from the beginning.
I liked the set-up of the story: the divided world at the turning point in its history and two men from the different sides investigating the brutal murders. The two societies are so isolated from one another that both have some ridiculous misconceptions about the other side. This was a little over the top, considering that at least the Skanians possess the technology which could refute at least some of them, but it worked well for the story, especially when Bengt tries to navigate Santuarian society ruled by tyrannical oligarchy or when Alex struggles with the concept of women in the positions of authority or accepted gay relationships. Both men are likable and haunted by their own demons: Alex by constant fear, undefined desires and unattainable escape, Bengt by guilt about the event from his past. They are both dedicated to their work, though Alex is always aware that overzealous investigation could put him under the scope of Securitas, familias’ brutal secret police. The men's experiences are so different that they can barely communicate at first. Bengt is a fish out of water, terribly naïve when it comes to the situation on the isolated island; Alex is jaded and incapable of believing in change. Bengt is living openly as a gay man; Alex is so far in the closet that he can't even acknowledge his desires. Only the time they spend together working on the case eases somewhat the mutual mistrust and discomfort.
I had several problems with the development of the story. I was hoping for some inventive investigative techniques under the totalitarian regime, perhaps in the vein of Citizen X, but it pretty soon became clear that the murder investigation is just a device to show the terrible poverty and pressures the Santuarians live with. There is no respite from the dreary, oppressive atmosphere which makes it hard to really get into the story and, absurdly, to sympathize with people's suffering. I couldn't help thinking that even in the most terrible regimes there is life and laughter and people who overcome their circumstances one way or another. There is no such thing here and it doesn't help that there are no likable secondary characters save Capitán Mendez. Even the freedom fighters are barely palatable. It says something when the bad guys such as Luiz, Alex's biological father and one of the officers of Securitas, or Leonid, one of his thugs, come more alive on the pages. The resolution of the mystery was unsatisfying, primarily because it wasn't something the readers could puzzle out themselves.
Another thing that didn't quite work is romance. While I liked both protagonists, they are riddled with doubts and uncertainties and can barely communicate. During the course of the novel, this was somewhat remedied and I could believe that they were becoming friends. However, there just wasn't enough mutual attraction shown on the page for me to accept the potential love between. Alex can't even think about his desires let alone verbalize them and then he is suddenly having sex with Bengt. This being the series, I think it would be better if the romance was just hinted and then developed in the second book.
This brings me to the ending of the novel. After all the dark, depressing events in the book, the situation was pretty much resolved within the last few pages, epilogue included. The bad guy gets what was coming to him, the political situation is resolved, the happy ending is on the horizon. This didn't follow the natural progression of the story – the men's parting seemed like the perfect ending – and was therefore unbelievable. This was another thing that would work better in the second novel. I would have liked to see Bengt working for the opening of Skanian borders and some of Alex's life in hiding.
I may sound too critical, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy parts of the story. As I said, both men were likable and the author's writing style is very readable – it was a quick read in spite of rather depressing tone. The only sex scene in the book was beautifully written; in fact, it may be one of the best I've recently read. More importantly, I really want to read the second book and the continuation of Bengt and Alex's story. It will also be interesting to see what Skanian society really looks like.
In the end, Santuario is a good first novel, which could have benefited from some lighter touches and additional focus on the men's relationship. If you enjoy speculative fiction and are not adverse to darker stories, Santuario will be a nice addition to your reading list. As this is the author's first book, I certainly recommend that you try it.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
It's always exciting for me to review an author's first novel. In this case, it was even more so, because I am a fan of all speculative fiction and the premise really sounded exciting. In the end, while I enjoyed some elements of the story, the others were completely drowned by the dreary atmosphere, the likable protagonists were not enough to sell me the romance and the ending didn't fit the rest of the story. But, let's start from the beginning.
I liked the set-up of the story: the divided world at the turning point in its history and two men from the different sides investigating the brutal murders. The two societies are so isolated from one another that both have some ridiculous misconceptions about the other side. This was a little over the top, considering that at least the Skanians possess the technology which could refute at least some of them, but it worked well for the story, especially when Bengt tries to navigate Santuarian society ruled by tyrannical oligarchy or when Alex struggles with the concept of women in the positions of authority or accepted gay relationships. Both men are likable and haunted by their own demons: Alex by constant fear, undefined desires and unattainable escape, Bengt by guilt about the event from his past. They are both dedicated to their work, though Alex is always aware that overzealous investigation could put him under the scope of Securitas, familias’ brutal secret police. The men's experiences are so different that they can barely communicate at first. Bengt is a fish out of water, terribly naïve when it comes to the situation on the isolated island; Alex is jaded and incapable of believing in change. Bengt is living openly as a gay man; Alex is so far in the closet that he can't even acknowledge his desires. Only the time they spend together working on the case eases somewhat the mutual mistrust and discomfort.
I had several problems with the development of the story. I was hoping for some inventive investigative techniques under the totalitarian regime, perhaps in the vein of Citizen X, but it pretty soon became clear that the murder investigation is just a device to show the terrible poverty and pressures the Santuarians live with. There is no respite from the dreary, oppressive atmosphere which makes it hard to really get into the story and, absurdly, to sympathize with people's suffering. I couldn't help thinking that even in the most terrible regimes there is life and laughter and people who overcome their circumstances one way or another. There is no such thing here and it doesn't help that there are no likable secondary characters save Capitán Mendez. Even the freedom fighters are barely palatable. It says something when the bad guys such as Luiz, Alex's biological father and one of the officers of Securitas, or Leonid, one of his thugs, come more alive on the pages. The resolution of the mystery was unsatisfying, primarily because it wasn't something the readers could puzzle out themselves.
Another thing that didn't quite work is romance. While I liked both protagonists, they are riddled with doubts and uncertainties and can barely communicate. During the course of the novel, this was somewhat remedied and I could believe that they were becoming friends. However, there just wasn't enough mutual attraction shown on the page for me to accept the potential love between. Alex can't even think about his desires let alone verbalize them and then he is suddenly having sex with Bengt. This being the series, I think it would be better if the romance was just hinted and then developed in the second book.
This brings me to the ending of the novel. After all the dark, depressing events in the book, the situation was pretty much resolved within the last few pages, epilogue included. The bad guy gets what was coming to him, the political situation is resolved, the happy ending is on the horizon. This didn't follow the natural progression of the story – the men's parting seemed like the perfect ending – and was therefore unbelievable. This was another thing that would work better in the second novel. I would have liked to see Bengt working for the opening of Skanian borders and some of Alex's life in hiding.
I may sound too critical, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy parts of the story. As I said, both men were likable and the author's writing style is very readable – it was a quick read in spite of rather depressing tone. The only sex scene in the book was beautifully written; in fact, it may be one of the best I've recently read. More importantly, I really want to read the second book and the continuation of Bengt and Alex's story. It will also be interesting to see what Skanian society really looks like.
In the end, Santuario is a good first novel, which could have benefited from some lighter touches and additional focus on the men's relationship. If you enjoy speculative fiction and are not adverse to darker stories, Santuario will be a nice addition to your reading list. As this is the author's first book, I certainly recommend that you try it.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
December 22, 2014
No hace mucho que empecé a ampliar mis horizontes literarios con autores que hasta hace muy poco me eran completamente ajenos, principalmente por no haber llegado aún a mis tierras, donde la industria editorial te impone y decide por vos qué tenés que leer o al menos qué es lo que ponen a tu alcance en las librerías. Por suerte me fue bien, eligiendo concienzudamente qué adquirir, sobre todo por las complicaciones monetarias, legales e impositivas con las que tengo que lidiar para adquirir cualquier cosa fuera de mi país. Hay determinados temas que siempre llaman mi atención, vengan en la forma de un relato de ciencia ficción, distópico, histórico, contemporáneo, romántico o lo que se les ocurra. No le hago mucho asco a nada, la verdad, siempre que pinche mi curiosidad. De plano, Santuario tenía todas las fichas aseguradas, pero al mismo tiempo me daba cierto temor: una historia que se mete con el devenir de una sociedad donde unos más poderosos invaden, oprimen y relegan a otros que lo son menos, me tocaba muy cerca de casa. Y la duda inicial me hacía pensar que sólo alguien que lo hubiera vivido o tuviera la suficiente empatía como para entender ese tipo de desbalance de poder, podía arribar a construir un buen relato.
En el caso de Santuario, los invasores fueron los relegados a vivir en una isla desolada e inhóspita, donde unas pocas familias se arrogan el derecho de dominar a los suyos, pero la sensación de hastío, opresión, desgano y completa resignación que se palpa a través del libro es absolutamente respetuosa, creíble, real, convincente. agobiante. En el caso de Sudamérica, fue al revés: la invasión de América por parte de los españoles llevó a la aniquilación y casi completa destrucción de culturas aborígenes milenarias que ya existían en estas tierras desde tiempos muy remotos. Nadie descubrió nada. Y este círculo se ha venido repitiendo en nuestro continente a partir de entonces, sobre todo de la mano de sociedades imperiales poderosas, deseosas de hacerse con los tesoros naturales de estas tierras y las posiciones estratégicas de control de los recursos.
No a todos nos produce lo mismo una lectura. De hecho el libro no alude a nada en particular si no a un arquetipo, a un formato que se da y se repite en diferentes momentos históricos, y variados lugares. Pero Santuario, a pesar de tocar temas que para mí son sensibles sobre todo de la mano de quien no lo ha vivido, logra pararse en un lugar de reconocimiento, de respeto y de interés real por los desbalances y las luchas de poder como un todo. No hay malos absolutos ni buenos blanquecinos, sino personajes que se engranan como ejes de una rueda que gira y se lleva todo por delante.
G.B. Gordon leyó, estudió, miró, observó y saltó con una historia alucinante, opresiva, agobiante, intensa y completamente respetuosa porque se para desde el lugar del oprimido y no del opresor. Pero no sucede lo mismo, creo yo, con muchos de sus lectores. Por ahí leí algunas reseñas de esta obra, donde usuarios simplemente veían a esa isla olvidada como "algún lugar en México"; o a la relación entre opresores y oprimidos como si "Cuba se encontrara con Holanda". O peor, simplemente diciendo que no entendían de ninguna manera lo que estaba sucediendo. Y soy yo la que no es nativa en inglés...Y no, que haga calor, que haya un notorio retraso tecnológico, pobreza y una aparente falta de desarrollo cultural no quiere decir que podamos hacer un paralelismo directo con cualquier país por debajo de EEUU. Que todo esto les resulte ajeno, y pueda leerse como elementos de una "obra de ciencia ficción", es bastante esperable, pero lamento decirles que es factible de encontrar en la realidad. Sólo basta leer un poco.
Como dije, toca fibras sensibles. Pero Gordon sale triunfante. La posibilidad de saber cómo se destrabará lo que el final de la obra deja abierto, me genera una tremenda emoción. Lo único que tengo para recomendarle es que hubiera sido bueno estar más atento a las referencias en castellano. Tiene algunos errores ortográficos, algunos acentos faltantes, ciertos verbos mal conjugados, y sobre todo una mezcla de españolismos, mexicanismos y otros castellanismos que para nuestro oído no combinan. Pero son detalles completamente salvables. Bien por Gordon.
En el caso de Santuario, los invasores fueron los relegados a vivir en una isla desolada e inhóspita, donde unas pocas familias se arrogan el derecho de dominar a los suyos, pero la sensación de hastío, opresión, desgano y completa resignación que se palpa a través del libro es absolutamente respetuosa, creíble, real, convincente. agobiante. En el caso de Sudamérica, fue al revés: la invasión de América por parte de los españoles llevó a la aniquilación y casi completa destrucción de culturas aborígenes milenarias que ya existían en estas tierras desde tiempos muy remotos. Nadie descubrió nada. Y este círculo se ha venido repitiendo en nuestro continente a partir de entonces, sobre todo de la mano de sociedades imperiales poderosas, deseosas de hacerse con los tesoros naturales de estas tierras y las posiciones estratégicas de control de los recursos.
No a todos nos produce lo mismo una lectura. De hecho el libro no alude a nada en particular si no a un arquetipo, a un formato que se da y se repite en diferentes momentos históricos, y variados lugares. Pero Santuario, a pesar de tocar temas que para mí son sensibles sobre todo de la mano de quien no lo ha vivido, logra pararse en un lugar de reconocimiento, de respeto y de interés real por los desbalances y las luchas de poder como un todo. No hay malos absolutos ni buenos blanquecinos, sino personajes que se engranan como ejes de una rueda que gira y se lleva todo por delante.
G.B. Gordon leyó, estudió, miró, observó y saltó con una historia alucinante, opresiva, agobiante, intensa y completamente respetuosa porque se para desde el lugar del oprimido y no del opresor. Pero no sucede lo mismo, creo yo, con muchos de sus lectores. Por ahí leí algunas reseñas de esta obra, donde usuarios simplemente veían a esa isla olvidada como "algún lugar en México"; o a la relación entre opresores y oprimidos como si "Cuba se encontrara con Holanda". O peor, simplemente diciendo que no entendían de ninguna manera lo que estaba sucediendo. Y soy yo la que no es nativa en inglés...Y no, que haga calor, que haya un notorio retraso tecnológico, pobreza y una aparente falta de desarrollo cultural no quiere decir que podamos hacer un paralelismo directo con cualquier país por debajo de EEUU. Que todo esto les resulte ajeno, y pueda leerse como elementos de una "obra de ciencia ficción", es bastante esperable, pero lamento decirles que es factible de encontrar en la realidad. Sólo basta leer un poco.
Como dije, toca fibras sensibles. Pero Gordon sale triunfante. La posibilidad de saber cómo se destrabará lo que el final de la obra deja abierto, me genera una tremenda emoción. Lo único que tengo para recomendarle es que hubiera sido bueno estar más atento a las referencias en castellano. Tiene algunos errores ortográficos, algunos acentos faltantes, ciertos verbos mal conjugados, y sobre todo una mezcla de españolismos, mexicanismos y otros castellanismos que para nuestro oído no combinan. Pero son detalles completamente salvables. Bien por Gordon.
June 16, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera with Western flavor and police procedural suspense/mystery; M/M romance
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of M/M romantic suspense
Trigger Warnings: violence, unwanted sexual advances (not quite bad enough to warrant the description “assault” as it was just grabbing and a forced kiss and the one being advanced on could have stopped things if it went too far), murder, attempted murder, torture
My Thoughts: This book is like a crazy quilt in a lot of ways. The writer has put the characters on a different world, making it science fiction. It's Space Opera in that it's highly dramatic with some romance elements. The setting is created to be sort of like Mexico, I think, with almost a Westernish feel to it at times. And the main characters—two men that are drawn together romantically—are trying to solve a murder. I think the only element missing from this book to include even more genres would be some paranormal elements or monsters or something. It's incredibly ambitious. And as a result, it could have been a hot mess.
It wasn't.
I actually quite enjoyed the story. The characters are realistic and the development of the relationship between Alex and Bengt was realistic, as were Alex's reactions when he learned Bengt was gay. Bengt essentially told him, what, did you think you would have to walk around all the time with your back to a wall? I laughed so hard at that, because that's how so many men act, as though gay men are ravaging sex beasts that chase after any piece of tail they see.
The conditions on Santuario were heartbreaking, and the push for freedom by the underground was handled well too. All in all, a very satisfying read. If you enjoy M/M romantic suspense (which is what this is officially labeled), then you will probably enjoy the story. Check it out.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Police teniente Alex Rukow has spent his life trapped on Santuario, his people’s isolated home-slash-prison-island. They’ve been living in poverty under the tyrannical regime of their own elite familias for the last two-hundred years, ever since their generation ship landed on the planet and found it already populated by earlier Earth settlers, the Skanians, who banished them to the inhospitable south.
Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.
Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of M/M romantic suspense
Trigger Warnings: violence, unwanted sexual advances (not quite bad enough to warrant the description “assault” as it was just grabbing and a forced kiss and the one being advanced on could have stopped things if it went too far), murder, attempted murder, torture
My Thoughts: This book is like a crazy quilt in a lot of ways. The writer has put the characters on a different world, making it science fiction. It's Space Opera in that it's highly dramatic with some romance elements. The setting is created to be sort of like Mexico, I think, with almost a Westernish feel to it at times. And the main characters—two men that are drawn together romantically—are trying to solve a murder. I think the only element missing from this book to include even more genres would be some paranormal elements or monsters or something. It's incredibly ambitious. And as a result, it could have been a hot mess.
It wasn't.
I actually quite enjoyed the story. The characters are realistic and the development of the relationship between Alex and Bengt was realistic, as were Alex's reactions when he learned Bengt was gay. Bengt essentially told him, what, did you think you would have to walk around all the time with your back to a wall? I laughed so hard at that, because that's how so many men act, as though gay men are ravaging sex beasts that chase after any piece of tail they see.
The conditions on Santuario were heartbreaking, and the push for freedom by the underground was handled well too. All in all, a very satisfying read. If you enjoy M/M romantic suspense (which is what this is officially labeled), then you will probably enjoy the story. Check it out.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Police teniente Alex Rukow has spent his life trapped on Santuario, his people’s isolated home-slash-prison-island. They’ve been living in poverty under the tyrannical regime of their own elite familias for the last two-hundred years, ever since their generation ship landed on the planet and found it already populated by earlier Earth settlers, the Skanians, who banished them to the inhospitable south.
Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.
Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive.
October 24, 2015
2.5 stars
Santuario, raises questions and leaves them hanging making it a strange and confusing read. The premise, set up at the beginning, that this fictitious, hellish, mining island with its Latin-based culture was settled by space travelers, doesn't jibe with the archaic, stagnant world the reader is presented with. What went wrong? Santuario is floundering in the brutal oppression of ruling familias, corruption, and constraints put on its police force to do its job. Skanes, the northern neighboring country, with its wealthier, Nordic-like citizenry, is more technologically advanced and seemingly superior in every way (and don’t get me started on these racial and cultural juxtapositions), but, well, the story isn’t based there, is it?
The series of murders that brings together our two protagonists, cops Alex (Santuarian) and Bengt (Skanian), are not completely explained in the end...something to do with a super computer and experiments with connecting it to the human brain... Why and how this could ever be possible on the hot, sweaty, technologically backwards Santuario remains a puzzle to me. Alex and Bengt work hard to solve the murder mysteries and find along the way a mutual attraction which isn’t unveiled until the very, very last minute. So we don’t even get steamy sex to ease the way in this muddle. The ending is definitely an HFN and the whole thing seems to be a set-up for a coming sequel where we may or may not get answers.
Oh, how I really wanted to love this book. It isn’t until trying to get my thoughts down for this review that I realized just how put out I am with it. I’m left with feeling of being let down by the failure to deliver a very interesting idea cleanly and effectively; more so because the writer shows signs of real talent. This is between a 2 and 3 star read for me because while I think this book is more than OK -- there were some aspects that I did like (notably the gritty descriptions of Santuaria and Alex's life there) -- it just didn’t work in toto for me. The first book in a series should still be able to stand alone, on its own merit. I might go to the next book with the hope of finding clarification but it had better be a damn fine sequel to hook me in again.
Santuario, raises questions and leaves them hanging making it a strange and confusing read. The premise, set up at the beginning, that this fictitious, hellish, mining island with its Latin-based culture was settled by space travelers, doesn't jibe with the archaic, stagnant world the reader is presented with. What went wrong? Santuario is floundering in the brutal oppression of ruling familias, corruption, and constraints put on its police force to do its job. Skanes, the northern neighboring country, with its wealthier, Nordic-like citizenry, is more technologically advanced and seemingly superior in every way (and don’t get me started on these racial and cultural juxtapositions), but, well, the story isn’t based there, is it?
The series of murders that brings together our two protagonists, cops Alex (Santuarian) and Bengt (Skanian), are not completely explained in the end...something to do with a super computer and experiments with connecting it to the human brain... Why and how this could ever be possible on the hot, sweaty, technologically backwards Santuario remains a puzzle to me. Alex and Bengt work hard to solve the murder mysteries and find along the way a mutual attraction which isn’t unveiled until the very, very last minute. So we don’t even get steamy sex to ease the way in this muddle. The ending is definitely an HFN and the whole thing seems to be a set-up for a coming sequel where we may or may not get answers.
Oh, how I really wanted to love this book. It isn’t until trying to get my thoughts down for this review that I realized just how put out I am with it. I’m left with feeling of being let down by the failure to deliver a very interesting idea cleanly and effectively; more so because the writer shows signs of real talent. This is between a 2 and 3 star read for me because while I think this book is more than OK -- there were some aspects that I did like (notably the gritty descriptions of Santuaria and Alex's life there) -- it just didn’t work in toto for me. The first book in a series should still be able to stand alone, on its own merit. I might go to the next book with the hope of finding clarification but it had better be a damn fine sequel to hook me in again.
January 19, 2015
On occasion I pick up a book expecting one thing and end up enjoying something entirely different than what I had initially expected. Santuario happens to be one of those books. So let me state here that this is not a romance. There are two men who may have a romance at some point but that is not the main story here. Santuario is an island that is inhabited by the second set of people who sought refuge on this planet. Alex like many of the people who live there wants a different way of life, one that is not affected by the corrupt and broken political system. This has been the status quo for over two hundred years so no one expects any changes.
The dead body that shows up on the area of the island that Alex polices has him notifying the Skanian’s of a murder that will require their own investigative team to examine. Bengt is thrown into a society that is vastly different than his own. He has to put all of his preconceived notions aside to work alongside Alex. The more time Bengt spends on Santuario the more he realizes that things need to change there. The borders that separate them must open. The case is far from simple, the more he looks into motives and suspects the more he sees that the murders are covering up something even larger than anyone ever suspected.
This book has actually been on my Kindle for quite some time. Based on a few reviews that I read I knew I wanted the next book in the series in my hand (or at least access to it) before I read this one. I’m glad I stuck by that decision. Santuario doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, all the loose ends from this story are tied up, but you are left wanting more. I found myself wanting to know more about how the events in the epilogue fell into place. I also want to know more of what Alex did between Bengt returning home and those events mentioned in the epilogue. Also I am completely fascinated by the politics and society structure of the very different worlds that these two men inhabit. Needless to say I am looking forward to what G.B. Gordon has created with The Other Side of Winter.
The dead body that shows up on the area of the island that Alex polices has him notifying the Skanian’s of a murder that will require their own investigative team to examine. Bengt is thrown into a society that is vastly different than his own. He has to put all of his preconceived notions aside to work alongside Alex. The more time Bengt spends on Santuario the more he realizes that things need to change there. The borders that separate them must open. The case is far from simple, the more he looks into motives and suspects the more he sees that the murders are covering up something even larger than anyone ever suspected.
This book has actually been on my Kindle for quite some time. Based on a few reviews that I read I knew I wanted the next book in the series in my hand (or at least access to it) before I read this one. I’m glad I stuck by that decision. Santuario doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, all the loose ends from this story are tied up, but you are left wanting more. I found myself wanting to know more about how the events in the epilogue fell into place. I also want to know more of what Alex did between Bengt returning home and those events mentioned in the epilogue. Also I am completely fascinated by the politics and society structure of the very different worlds that these two men inhabit. Needless to say I am looking forward to what G.B. Gordon has created with The Other Side of Winter.
October 16, 2012
I’m really happy that I gave this new author a try! G.B. Gordon created an interesting world with two very different societies, a mystery I wanted to see solved and above all a book with a gripping plot and two main characters you will like!
Alex, being my favorite, is more the silent, lonesome type and lives on Santuario – an island completely isolated from the rest of the world and ruled by the familias. Neither the people nor the police have the power to change anything. But there’s hope.
Bengt, on the other hand, seems to live in paradise (Alex: ”It wasn’t anything tangible that made it paradise, but just the fact that it wasn’t Santuario.”). Family and friends are a big part of his life and being gay not in the least a problem.
Besides the mystery and the subtle romance between Alex and Bengt, there was another part of the story which touched me and generated mixed feelings:
So yes, I’m really glad that Santuario isn’t the last book in this world because I really liked it and there are still some unanswered questions.
And in case you get a little bit confused at the beginning, just read on. It eventually will all make sense. :)
Alex, being my favorite, is more the silent, lonesome type and lives on Santuario – an island completely isolated from the rest of the world and ruled by the familias. Neither the people nor the police have the power to change anything. But there’s hope.
Bengt, on the other hand, seems to live in paradise (Alex: ”It wasn’t anything tangible that made it paradise, but just the fact that it wasn’t Santuario.”). Family and friends are a big part of his life and being gay not in the least a problem.
Besides the mystery and the subtle romance between Alex and Bengt, there was another part of the story which touched me and generated mixed feelings:
So yes, I’m really glad that Santuario isn’t the last book in this world because I really liked it and there are still some unanswered questions.
And in case you get a little bit confused at the beginning, just read on. It eventually will all make sense. :)
February 5, 2015
I bought this one as part of the thank-you sale that did Riptide and I found myself totally excited about Santuario after reading the excerpt on the publisher's site.
At first, I thought it'll be a SF m/m book but it was way better than that, it was a SF m/m book with a contemporary feel, and suddenly I was breathing the mexican heat. I was a bit lost with the names, the spannish words (I don't know a word in spanish, apart from the insults, very useful) and sometimes the vocabulary (I thought it was because english isn't my mother tongue but apparently others reviews have stated that as well), anyway it's good to learn new words.
I liked the world building, the investigation and the characters, ahhh the characters, I really like Alex and Bengt (but all these lost opportunities with the hotel room, you played with my feelings Gordon, Bengt had TWO hotel rooms and he never invited Alex in it for the night!!! Okay, I admit I'm a sucker for sex in hotels rooms/bathrooms).
Of course, I have some issues (sorry there is always an issue or two) : I agree that Bengt can quicly feel attracted to Alex but admitting to himself was maybe a bit premature. And speaking of Alex, I found that Bengt I'm still suffering from withdrawals after reading Touch&Geaux, it probably explains why I wanted a longer sex scene (and bathroom sex!) okayyyy, now I seems totally perverted. So it was a great, melancholic, bittersweet book and I want the next one now and it better have these spaceships in it)!!!!!
At first, I thought it'll be a SF m/m book but it was way better than that, it was a SF m/m book with a contemporary feel, and suddenly I was breathing the mexican heat. I was a bit lost with the names, the spannish words (I don't know a word in spanish, apart from the insults, very useful) and sometimes the vocabulary (I thought it was because english isn't my mother tongue but apparently others reviews have stated that as well), anyway it's good to learn new words.
I liked the world building, the investigation and the characters, ahhh the characters, I really like Alex and Bengt (but all these lost opportunities with the hotel room, you played with my feelings Gordon, Bengt had TWO hotel rooms and he never invited Alex in it for the night!!! Okay, I admit I'm a sucker for sex in hotels rooms/bathrooms).
Of course, I have some issues (sorry there is always an issue or two) : I agree that Bengt can quicly feel attracted to Alex but admitting to himself was maybe a bit premature. And speaking of Alex, I found that Bengt I'm still suffering from withdrawals after reading Touch&Geaux, it probably explains why I wanted a longer sex scene (and bathroom sex!) okayyyy, now I seems totally perverted. So it was a great, melancholic, bittersweet book and I want the next one now and it better have these spaceships in it)!!!!!
October 14, 2012
One hell of a first novel. Santuario is a story about cultural distance, corruption, and desperation; there's also a developing gay relationship between the leads. That order, I think, is the most satisfying way to approach the novel: it's about the problems the island of Santuario faces and the ways that the main characters deal with them first and foremost. Readers who want a romance first with the murder plot as a side dish might be frustrated; I, on the other hand, really like a story where the romance doesn't overwhelm the characters' other attachments and priorities, so the balance worked just right for me.
I really enjoyed the way the complexity of Santuario's situation was portrayed. It would be easy to make the familias 2-d evil, oppressing a virtuous populace, but Gordon complicates that assumption a number of times during the story; both main characters stumble on their own assumptions more than once and have to work around having their ideas challenged.
Comparatively, I found But that may well be clearer for other readers who have better background in the cultures that Santuario-the-nation is based on, I'm not sure.
Overall I'm very glad that this story was marked as the first of a series, because I'd love to see what happens next -- both to the main characters and their world, which is in a really crucial point of transition as this story unfolds. Good luck writing Santuario #2, G.B.!
I really enjoyed the way the complexity of Santuario's situation was portrayed. It would be easy to make the familias 2-d evil, oppressing a virtuous populace, but Gordon complicates that assumption a number of times during the story; both main characters stumble on their own assumptions more than once and have to work around having their ideas challenged.
Comparatively, I found But that may well be clearer for other readers who have better background in the cultures that Santuario-the-nation is based on, I'm not sure.
Overall I'm very glad that this story was marked as the first of a series, because I'd love to see what happens next -- both to the main characters and their world, which is in a really crucial point of transition as this story unfolds. Good luck writing Santuario #2, G.B.!
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