Out of the Blue in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Nov 07, 2009 Michael rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a first for me. I enjoyed this book and I’m giving it three stars, but I pretty much hated everything about the relationship of the two main characters, Bat and Cowboy. But it goes beyond not liking the relationship, I couldn’t stand the character of Cowboy...what an arrogant and unlikeable ass.

The story takes place in 1916 France during the war. Bat is a British airmen based in France and Cowboy is an American serving along side Bat’s squadron. The story begins with us finding out that This is a first for me. I enjoyed this book and I’m giving it three stars, but I pretty much hated everything about the relationship of the two main characters, Bat and Cowboy. But it goes beyond not liking the relationship, I couldn’t stand the character of Cowboy...what an arrogant and unlikeable ass.

The story takes place in 1916 France during the war. Bat is a British airmen based in France and Cowboy is an American serving along side Bat’s squadron. The story begins with us finding out that Bat had been carrying on a intimate relationship with a fellow airman named Gene, who has just died in an air battle. One of the squadron mechanics meets with Bat to try and blackmail him about his relationship with the dead pilot. Things don’t go well and the blackmailer is accidently killed. Cowboy witnesses the event and offers to get rid of the body but there is a price. That price, we find out later, is that Bat is now Cowboy’s bottom-boy, whether he wants to be or not.

Let me say the parts and elements that I did enjoy (3):

1) I liked the exciting and imaginative air battles. They were breathtaking and suspenseful.

2) I really enjoyed the interaction of the men in the squadron. Little tidbits were given about the different men...very minor things but enough of a glimpse that you wished them a safe return from a battle. I only with there had been more of that type of stuff.

3) I liked the way Bat talked about Gene and their relationship. I wish the book had been more about them. I would have liked to have read about Gene writing his poetry. Bat and Gene meeting.

What I didn’t like (2):

1) A big #1! Cowboy. What an arrogant and unlikeable character. There is nothing to admire or like about this guy save one thing...he’s a skilled military pilot. Other than that I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why Bat wanted to spend one moment with this pompous ass. Maybe couldn't find a thing to admire because almost nothing was given to the reader about what motivates Cowboy. Here is an example, all the British guys think Cowboy is an uneducated American. Then in a chat between him and Bat he impresses Bat with something he knows. Bat asks why he lets all the guys think he’s uneducated and Cowboy says “why should I care what they think?”. There is a perfect moment to learn something about Cowboy...I wish he would have said why other people’s opinions don’t matter. Where does this personal strength come from? Instead he tells Bat that all that matters is his opinion and then tells Bat how smart and sexy he is...and then he forces himself on Bat.

During their first sexual encounter Bat (age 23) is a little overwhelmed at how aggressive and quickly Cowboy is moving. Then Cowboy sticks his fingers into Bat’s butt and Bat panics. Clearly Bat is not ready for such a thing. He’s inexperienced despite the stuff he did with Gene AND, to top it off...he just lost his “boyfriend”. Does Cowboy take all this into consideration? Nope. What does he say? Quote: “He’s dead” “You’re alive whether you like it or not.” REALLY? This is how he’s gonna get in Bat’s pants? Rubbing salt in a fresh wound. Well, that and the blackmail. Yup, Cowboy holds the events with the mechanic over Bat’s head and forces him to have sex with him. Even Bat realizes he’s not exactly a willing participant in his bottoming for Cowboy: “he wasn’t being given a choice, that his choice was being taken from him; all he had to do was not fight too hard” or “Bat swallowed dryly. He knew a moment of dizzy alarm. What was he surrendering to? What liberties was he allowing Cowboy? Allowing? Too late to stop it now. He knew that.” He’s a horrible person. He takes advantage of Bat.

2) I didn’t believe the convenient end to the story. I think Bat would have walked away and been well rid of him.

I know there people who will disagree with me on this review. The book has been receiving positive comments for the most part. I liked the rest of the book, I justdidn’t like the actual relationship. Maybe this book is a good example of Mr. Lanyon’s writing style and the types of sexual relationships he creates. I don’t know yet. I read “The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks” and loved it. I saw the good reviews here and decided to make Out of the Blue my next selection for him. I’ll try a few more so I have a better understanding.

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Feb 23, 2010 Elisa Rolle added it

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934531030/?... ...more

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Sep 13, 2009 Jan rated it really liked it

Brilliant so far, really involving. I'm just sorry it is an ebook, I find them much harder to get into. Looking forwards to the printed version. ...more

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