John C. Houser, Fly up into the night air

[Ulysses]

John C. Houser is an author I'd not read before. I guess because he's only published this and one other book. But I have to say I have not read a novel in this genre quite so quietly elegant in its prose, nor quite so gently probing in its characterizations.

We're in some vaguely English "long ago and far away," that isn't quite Christian, but is recognizable enough. There are different classes of people in the small town of Wallford Crossing, but no aristocrats. And there are the Canny - people with varying kinds of second sight, which makes them the object of fear and prejudice. That deft touch of the paranormal gives the whole book a feeling of being slightly dreamlike.

Harte Walford is a presenter advocate - or a trial lawyer. He lives at home in a great house with his parents. Stilian Cast is a judge veritor - a Canny with the ability to detect lies and the training to back him up. He was cast out into the world as a child, and found his way to the Grayholme school for the Canny (shades of Harry Potter, but not really - there is no magic being tossed about).

Harte has finally admitted that his interest in women is non-existant, and yet he has not quite embraced his true self. Stilian found love early and miraculously, and grieves the untimely death of his bonded mate. Both men are running away from their unhappiness, one literally, one mentally. In each other they find the possibility of something new.

The people in this book have an uncanny realness that makes every character interesting. No one is unflawed, and even the bad guys are ineffably human. Harte's relationship with his parents is particularly poignant and well portrayed. There is a delicacy in Houser's narrative that might leave some readers champing at the bit for something more robust - but I found it curiously soothing. There is great love in this book, but no sex, except off-stage. This will surely annoy some m/m readers, but I enjoyed the subtlety. Harte and Stilian understand each other - they are awkward for sure, but they are never unthinking or unfeeling.

Clearly this book is a set-up for a series. I can't wait to see where Houser will take this world he's made for us.

[Aussie54]

Glad you liked it! I wrote it up in the Fantasy section (I wasn't really sure where to put it!).

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I really like your review.

I also can't wait to see if there's a sequel.

[Ulysses]

Gosh I knew I'd read a review of it, but searched and didn't find it. I wonder why not? Is the group site search not working right? Sorry! I must have read it on your recommendation - and thanks for that - because it's such a good book.