I’m a book nerd. I know this. A book nerd friend pointed out that I haven’t written about any fantasy or science fiction books yet and she asked when I planned on doing so. She’s both a lesbian and a big fan of the fantasy and sci-fi genre’s and, though she’s been reading my posts faithfully, she’s been feeling a little left out. Truthfully, I never even gave it a thought and I sheepishly told her so.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi aren’t my favorite fiction genres but I am compelled to read some from time to time if the cover blurb or reviews strike an interest. I lean toward more science fiction than fantasy but I’m not adverse to reading well written fantasy fiction that is not overly long on descriptiveness and filled with a language of author concocted words and terms that I wouldn’t understand without a glossary. Often times the books I choose are written by straight authors and they’re built around straight characters. This is especially true of science fiction which tends to be dominated by heterosexual male writers.
One fantasy work I’ve read that made a strong impression on me was author Astrid Amara’s book, The Archer’s Heart
The book description:
In the ancient kingdom of Marhavad, noblemen dominate the lower castes, wielding mystic weapons, known as shartas, against any who oppose them. For generations the rule of Marhavad’s kings has been absolute. But now the line of succession is divided, and whispers of revolution are heard in even the royal palace. Keshan Adaru, an outspoken man of unearthly charms, welcomes these changes. All his life he has foreseen an uprising that will shatter the castes and end the tyranny of the old laws. His visions have driven him but now, at the brink of their fulfillment, he finds himself obsessed with Prince Jandu Paran– a man whose entire family must be destroyed if the kingdom is to be freed. Tarek Amia would gladly see Jandu Paran brought low. Born the son of a charioteer, Tarek has no love for the royal princes who have slighted and insulted him all his life. Only Keshan’s philosophies have elevated him from the brutal ranks of common soldiers. Tarek owes Keshan his devotion, but he is a pragmatic man and when he discovers Keshan’s reckless affair he realizes that Keshan may have to be sacrificed for the sake of his own revolution. Young Prince Jandu Paran has never concerned himself with court intrigue. His life has been dedicated to the lordly art of archery and mastering the immense powers of the shartas. Handsome and arrogant, he is sure that no man can surpass him and yet Keshan Adaru’s mere touch brings Jandu to his knees. But his desire for Keshan is more than forbidden; it threatens to destroy Jandu’s pride, position and family. In the midst of this turmoil, an unspeakable event forces Jandu to redefine the meaning of honor and loyalty. And now, as armies arise to war, each man must decide where his allegiance lies and what he will sacrifice in his heart and on the battlefield.
I’ve not been able to find out much about Ms. Amara personally. It’s so interesting to me that a female author centers most of her body of work around gay male fantasy fiction and that she does it so convincingly well. I really would like to know more about her. Her website, www.astridamara.com, is very tongue in cheek and humor laden but it’s short on real information about her. Other references I can find about her are in a similar vein. She has a new book due out in December, Silver Bellskis, that is a sequel to a work that, sadly, I haven’t read. She’s also working on a 2012 release that sounds like a combination of fantasy fiction and Men In Black. That one, The Irregulars, should be quite interesting.
Liked your reviews on gay fantasy books.