From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Mongrel (Mongrel, #1)

K.Z. Snow

Start date: August 1, 2012

Finish date: August 31, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Why we're reading this: BOM August 2012
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What Members Thought

Oct 28, 2010 Ami rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-fantasy-pnr-futuristic-scifi

This story reels in the fantasy/steam-punk world; between residents of Taintwell (with their Branded Mongrels) and Purinton (with their pure humans).

Fanule Perfidor is the Eminence of Taintwell, The Dog King, and he is investigating the case of dissapearing mongrels and the whispers of injustice punishment for mongrels that are being caught. To get to this, Fanule needs to get information about Alphonse Hunzinger, the owner of Hunzinger's Mechanical Circus. He isn't welcome there, none of the B This story reels in the fantasy/steam-punk world; between residents of Taintwell (with their Branded Mongrels) and Purinton (with their pure humans).

Fanule Perfidor is the Eminence of Taintwell, The Dog King, and he is investigating the case of dissapearing mongrels and the whispers of injustice punishment for mongrels that are being caught. To get to this, Fanule needs to get information about Alphonse Hunzinger, the owner of Hunzinger's Mechanical Circus. He isn't welcome there, none of the Branded Mongrels are, but Fanule catches the sight of young William Marchman, a medicine salesman who works booth in the circus, and he takes his chances.

At first, Fanule only approaches the young man to ask for information. But when the two meets again in a bar, attraction cannot be denied, and an affair is born. Soon, William decides to help Fanule -- along with of a bounty hunter, Simon Bentcross, and a vampire, Clancy Marrowbone -- to uncover the sinister project of Alphonse and Purinton's mayor to getting rid of mongrels ...

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This story reminds me of K.Z. Snow's Utopia-X series; in terms of vivid imagery of fantasy world and appealing characters. I start this a bit slowly, because it takes time for me to get into the realm of the story, but once I do, I find I cannot stop.

I must say I'm quite taken of sweet William -- he may portray innocence of the young but he also has the bravery of a soldier, loyalty of a knight, and love of the beloved. I adore him immensely. Fan is a remarkable character. He carries the baggage of all Taintwell citizens' hope for justice on his shoulder but he is still a fair man. Fan struggles with his mercurial moods and he needs potion to function. William's presence in his side becomes Fan's second wing that keeps him balanced.

The cast of Fanule's aids are charming: the vampire Clancy Marrowbone (who kind of reminds me of my favorite vampire in the Utopia-X series, oh dear Ridley) and his (surprisingly) human lover, Simon Bentcross ... though secondary but nonetheless alive on the pages and as important as Fan and William.

It's an intriguing romantic and well-crafted tale; another satisfaction. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2011 Susinok rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, western, steampunk, glbt

What a fascinating world! Great characters and story, too. Steampunk often seems overdone to me. Not this time. The steampunk aspects were in the detailed background of the story, but didn't overwhem or take the place of character development. Very nice.

Just as good the second read-through. Now I'm ready for Merman. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2012 ttg rated it really liked it

Shelves: challenge-read, reviews, m-m

3.5 stars – An interesting and enjoyable m/m steampunk fantasy romance. Fanule Perfidor is the community-appointed leader of a village ghetto of “mongrels,” mutated beings that are forced to be branded, and whose rights are limited by the overseeing city-state. Suspicious of a greater conspiracy against the mongrel community, Fan begins investigating the local “mechanical circus” and attempts to glean information from Will, a young medicine seller working there. Their meeting (and underlying att 3.5 stars – An interesting and enjoyable m/m steampunk fantasy romance. Fanule Perfidor is the community-appointed leader of a village ghetto of “mongrels,” mutated beings that are forced to be branded, and whose rights are limited by the overseeing city-state. Suspicious of a greater conspiracy against the mongrel community, Fan begins investigating the local “mechanical circus” and attempts to glean information from Will, a young medicine seller working there. Their meeting (and underlying attraction) propel the story forward as they discover the dark dealings behind recent mongrel arrests, as well as find in each other a deeper intimacy neither was expecting.

What I liked: Snow did a neat job on all the steampunk details that color the story, making it a very imaginative read. I also dug the sweet chemistry developing between Fan and Will as they found themselves unable to fight the attraction between them. Both characters are very appealing, and I appreciated how they stubbornly sought out the other. Will’s ability to also see past Fan’s manic illness that would at times strike him down to deep lows or fevered highs was also a nice touch that added some deeper layers of acceptance and love to their relationship.

What was harder for me: I think going through the story I started developing some expectations that were not fully played out. I was personally hoping for a more exciting and drawn out climax. The way the author ended the story was nice, but I think I was just hoping for a little *more*, more story, or more excitement, or more inclusion of the mongrel's powers (especially Fan's), or more...something.

The side characters were interesting, including a very handy vampire and a local bounty hunter, but at times I found them distracting to the story, and the vampire character has almost a “too powerful” aura, in that deus ex machine kind of way that he could just fix things if he wanted to. At times I felt there were two warring factions inside the story, the struggle and growing love story between Fan and Will, and the side characters who seemed to shoot to the forefront as if they were photobombing the narrative.

For a more personal reader issue: my vote also would be to retire or lessen the use of the word “lover” which seemed at times overused. (e.g. “He looked towards his lover,” etc.) It’s a word that can have the unhappy effect of distracting and distancing, similar to using nouns instead of pronouns to describe a character. If that's something that doesn't normally sway you though, then you'll be fine.

Overall though, it’s a fun, creative story with very appealing MCs whose sweet, romantic relationship was nice to read about. If you’re looking for something fantastical in your m/m reading, especially something more steampunk, this may be right up your alley. It’s definitely a great addition to the m/m steampunk list. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2011 Karin Wollina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: keepers, favorites

very good worldbuilding, great characterisation, wonderful writing. There would have been more room to tell the story, but the author fitted everything quite nicely into this relativ short story. She is really one of the best out there. Highly recommendable

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