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Fisher Key Adventure #2
The Secret of Othello
A shooting star streaks across Fisher Key’s skies. Natural phenomenon or secret military satellite? For Steven Anderson, any mystery is a welcome distraction. He’s vowed to avoid all the island’s pretty girls until the SEALs approve his waiver request. Unfortunately his libido—and the girls—have other ideas. Meanwhile, Denny Anderson is busy wooing the boy of his dreams. If he plans things right, he won’t be the only virgin entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Too bad every romantic rendezvous is ruined by misunderstandings, interruptions, and pesky tourists. As the days get hotter, the twins are drawn into an underwater race against time, tide, and treason. Suddenly, true love is the least of their problems. Under the waves, no one can hear you scream…
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2012
10 people want to read
About the author
Sam Cameron
19 books10 followersA Navy veteran, Sam Cameron spent several years serving in the Pacific and along the Atlantic coast. Her transgender, romance, and science fiction novels have been recognized for their wit, inventiveness, and passion. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and currently teaches college in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 18, 2012
I want to thank Net Galley and Bold Stroke Books for providing me with an ebook ARC of this book to read for an honest review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
A shooting star streaks across Fisher Key’s skies. Natural phenomenon or secret military satellite? For Steven Anderson, any mystery is a welcome distraction. He’s vowed to avoid all the island’s pretty girls until the SEALs approve his waiver request. Unfortunately his libido—and the girls—have other ideas. Meanwhile, Denny Anderson is busy wooing the boy of his dreams. If he plans things right, he won’t be the only virgin entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Too bad every romantic rendezvous is ruined by misunderstandings, interruptions, and pesky tourists. As the days get hotter, the twins are drawn into an underwater race against time, tide, and treason. Suddenly, true love is the least of their problems. Under the waves, no one can hear you scream…
When I requested this book, I did not realize it was a sequel to a previous book written about these same characters. I did not read the first book in this series and this may explain my reaction to the book. Honestly, I am not sure if there is a lot of background information in Mystery of the Tempest, but if there is it explains why I really could not connect with any of the characters in this book.
I like to think that I can envision characters in my head, figure out what they look like and let that give me an idea into the psyche. I did not feel this at all while reading this book. The characters all seemed very flat to me. I didn't see any development at all, no changes that make the characters more interesting or lead me to want to learn more about them. There was a definite difference in the personalities of the twins. Steven seems more of the go getter type, confident and outgoing, not to be messed with. Denny seems more passive and shy, easily persuaded and not one to really jump at what he wants. Other than these observations, I didn't really get a sense of what these characters looked like, why they wanted to take positions in the military, what drove them towards that goal.
I also felt like nothing really happened until the last 80% of this book. I was just reading along, not really getting a sense of where anything was going. Not getting a sense of the fact that some of the characters were bad guys. The twins didn't seem suspicious of anyone. The introduction of Tristan and her father seemed like a way to expand the story more, rather than a way to move it along and get you curious as to the mystery that was supposed to be unfolding. Then all of a sudden, BOOM, action starts happening.
Cameron does have a clear sense of how to write. There is no doubt about that. The flow of the story was interesting enough. But I didn't want to jump into it and not put it down. I wanted to read a bit here and then a bit there until I finished it.
All in all I found the story lacking in much, tho I can't even put my finger on exactly what that is!
2.5 out of 3 stars for this book.
Review also posted on the following sites:
http://www.librarything.com/work/1293...
http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com
Blurb from Goodreads:
A shooting star streaks across Fisher Key’s skies. Natural phenomenon or secret military satellite? For Steven Anderson, any mystery is a welcome distraction. He’s vowed to avoid all the island’s pretty girls until the SEALs approve his waiver request. Unfortunately his libido—and the girls—have other ideas. Meanwhile, Denny Anderson is busy wooing the boy of his dreams. If he plans things right, he won’t be the only virgin entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Too bad every romantic rendezvous is ruined by misunderstandings, interruptions, and pesky tourists. As the days get hotter, the twins are drawn into an underwater race against time, tide, and treason. Suddenly, true love is the least of their problems. Under the waves, no one can hear you scream…
When I requested this book, I did not realize it was a sequel to a previous book written about these same characters. I did not read the first book in this series and this may explain my reaction to the book. Honestly, I am not sure if there is a lot of background information in Mystery of the Tempest, but if there is it explains why I really could not connect with any of the characters in this book.
I like to think that I can envision characters in my head, figure out what they look like and let that give me an idea into the psyche. I did not feel this at all while reading this book. The characters all seemed very flat to me. I didn't see any development at all, no changes that make the characters more interesting or lead me to want to learn more about them. There was a definite difference in the personalities of the twins. Steven seems more of the go getter type, confident and outgoing, not to be messed with. Denny seems more passive and shy, easily persuaded and not one to really jump at what he wants. Other than these observations, I didn't really get a sense of what these characters looked like, why they wanted to take positions in the military, what drove them towards that goal.
I also felt like nothing really happened until the last 80% of this book. I was just reading along, not really getting a sense of where anything was going. Not getting a sense of the fact that some of the characters were bad guys. The twins didn't seem suspicious of anyone. The introduction of Tristan and her father seemed like a way to expand the story more, rather than a way to move it along and get you curious as to the mystery that was supposed to be unfolding. Then all of a sudden, BOOM, action starts happening.
Cameron does have a clear sense of how to write. There is no doubt about that. The flow of the story was interesting enough. But I didn't want to jump into it and not put it down. I wanted to read a bit here and then a bit there until I finished it.
All in all I found the story lacking in much, tho I can't even put my finger on exactly what that is!
2.5 out of 3 stars for this book.
Review also posted on the following sites:
http://www.librarything.com/work/1293...
http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com
October 8, 2012
3.5 stars
This would have been a 5 star rating, as I really like the writing and the whole set-up of the story. BUT - from some point on when Denny showed the pics to Brad(? I'm so bad with names and especially if there are several similar ones in the story) it got a bit over-the-top. All this situations the twins found themselves in, yes it's a bit too much. It still was a very good read, but what got me to be rather annoyed was another open end/cliffhanger. I still don't know how the relationship between Denny and Brian proceeds and I also don't know whether Brian will be able to start his MIT studies. I somewhat think, that of course everything will be settled as expected, but at the end of this story it's not. Sorry but this is a rather cheap means of stringing the reader along. I'm not sure whether I'll read the next installment.
This would have been a 5 star rating, as I really like the writing and the whole set-up of the story. BUT - from some point on when Denny showed the pics to Brad(? I'm so bad with names and especially if there are several similar ones in the story) it got a bit over-the-top. All this situations the twins found themselves in, yes it's a bit too much. It still was a very good read, but what got me to be rather annoyed was another open end/cliffhanger. I still don't know how the relationship between Denny and Brian proceeds and I also don't know whether Brian will be able to start his MIT studies. I somewhat think, that of course everything will be settled as expected, but at the end of this story it's not. Sorry but this is a rather cheap means of stringing the reader along. I'm not sure whether I'll read the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2012
Last year I read Mystery of the Tempest: A Fisher Key Adventure and enjoyed it. That book was the first installment in Sam Cameron's young adult LGBT mystery series Fisher Key Adventures. I've also enjoyed related and unrelated short stories written by this author, so of course I purchased the second book, The Secret of Othello as soon as it released. The series stars the Anderson twins, Denny and Steven, and I think what I love about these eighteen year old young men is how Cameron balances out each character by highlighting their common ground, yet gives them unique, individual traits and personalities.
Denny is gay and more circumspect about his heroic actions with an almost shy personality, and Steven loves girls and is known as the outspoken twin with the cocky attitude. Yet they share many of the same interests including love and respect for family and the sea, a propensity to find trouble in the most unimaginable of places and a curiosity that leads them to solve mysteries. However, being teenagers, they also share some of the same concerns and struggle by making wrong decisions and looking for the right choices.
While Mystery of The Tempest was very much a mystery that introduced these wonderful characters, Sam Cameron uses The Secret of Othello more as a tool to further develops these characters by focusing on the boys' concerns about changes taking place and affecting their lives after high school graduation.
After the mess he made out of his love life during graduation, Steven has given up girls for the summer, but has to fight himself constantly not to break this personal promise when three local girls make a play for him, and a new girl visiting Fisher Key makes an impact.This is not an easy task for impulsive, easily distracted Steven with his high libido. Instead after witnessing a shooting star streaking across Fisher Key skies, he tries to distract himself by following his natural curiosity after NASA scientists claim a weather satellite fell in the ocean. Steven doesn't really believe it's a weather satellite and keeps his eye on the Othello II reclaiming vessel and its crew, particularly on the beautiful female scientist aboard. However, Steven's real conflicts in this second installment are internal, as his future with the SEALs is still uncertain.
In the meantime, Denny is not really interested in NASA or their satellite and leaves all the snooping and speculating to Steven. Instead Denny's whole summer is consumed by his new relationship with boyfriend Brian. Denny is still hoping not to be the only virgin arriving for training at the U.S. Coast Guard, but he's also struggling with adjustments and choices, especially since he is only partially out of the closet. Brian is not so understanding of Denny's needs, and Denny doesn't always make the right decisions when it comes to their relationship. Additionally, Denny deals with the Cuban side of the family and going by his Aunt Riza's homophobic and intractable attitude that might end up a disaster. It all becomes a balancing act for Denny between family acceptance, Brian's understanding, mistakes, and his own libido gone wild! The boys end up helping each other out as always, and Brian confronts his own tough situations. There is a lot of growing up for Denny and Steven, as well as Brian in this installment.
The Secret of Othello is a good follow up to Mystery of The Tempest. It delves more into the characters and although there is a mystery to be solved, and of course Steven, Denny, Brian, and their friend Sean are all involved, in the end that mystery is not central but more of a side story through much of the book. However, toward the last third of the book the mystery and action pick up and the ending is quite exciting.
Sam Cameron writes young adult stories for young adults, although as an adult for me they are also enjoyable. The Fisher Key Adventures in particular are wonderful because not only is ethnic diversity subtly and naturally weaved into the series, but there is also the inclusion of inner struggles faced by young adults of different gender and sexual orientation. Cameron achieves this while placing these young adults in situations that include family, friends, and community in an organic environment, all while making these books highly entertaining mystery reads. The Secret of Othello was a solid read for me, and now I look forward to reading the next book of the series, The Missing Juliet.
Denny is gay and more circumspect about his heroic actions with an almost shy personality, and Steven loves girls and is known as the outspoken twin with the cocky attitude. Yet they share many of the same interests including love and respect for family and the sea, a propensity to find trouble in the most unimaginable of places and a curiosity that leads them to solve mysteries. However, being teenagers, they also share some of the same concerns and struggle by making wrong decisions and looking for the right choices.
While Mystery of The Tempest was very much a mystery that introduced these wonderful characters, Sam Cameron uses The Secret of Othello more as a tool to further develops these characters by focusing on the boys' concerns about changes taking place and affecting their lives after high school graduation.
After the mess he made out of his love life during graduation, Steven has given up girls for the summer, but has to fight himself constantly not to break this personal promise when three local girls make a play for him, and a new girl visiting Fisher Key makes an impact.This is not an easy task for impulsive, easily distracted Steven with his high libido. Instead after witnessing a shooting star streaking across Fisher Key skies, he tries to distract himself by following his natural curiosity after NASA scientists claim a weather satellite fell in the ocean. Steven doesn't really believe it's a weather satellite and keeps his eye on the Othello II reclaiming vessel and its crew, particularly on the beautiful female scientist aboard. However, Steven's real conflicts in this second installment are internal, as his future with the SEALs is still uncertain.
In the meantime, Denny is not really interested in NASA or their satellite and leaves all the snooping and speculating to Steven. Instead Denny's whole summer is consumed by his new relationship with boyfriend Brian. Denny is still hoping not to be the only virgin arriving for training at the U.S. Coast Guard, but he's also struggling with adjustments and choices, especially since he is only partially out of the closet. Brian is not so understanding of Denny's needs, and Denny doesn't always make the right decisions when it comes to their relationship. Additionally, Denny deals with the Cuban side of the family and going by his Aunt Riza's homophobic and intractable attitude that might end up a disaster. It all becomes a balancing act for Denny between family acceptance, Brian's understanding, mistakes, and his own libido gone wild! The boys end up helping each other out as always, and Brian confronts his own tough situations. There is a lot of growing up for Denny and Steven, as well as Brian in this installment.
The Secret of Othello is a good follow up to Mystery of The Tempest. It delves more into the characters and although there is a mystery to be solved, and of course Steven, Denny, Brian, and their friend Sean are all involved, in the end that mystery is not central but more of a side story through much of the book. However, toward the last third of the book the mystery and action pick up and the ending is quite exciting.
Sam Cameron writes young adult stories for young adults, although as an adult for me they are also enjoyable. The Fisher Key Adventures in particular are wonderful because not only is ethnic diversity subtly and naturally weaved into the series, but there is also the inclusion of inner struggles faced by young adults of different gender and sexual orientation. Cameron achieves this while placing these young adults in situations that include family, friends, and community in an organic environment, all while making these books highly entertaining mystery reads. The Secret of Othello was a solid read for me, and now I look forward to reading the next book of the series, The Missing Juliet.
July 19, 2012
Okay, so I was approved for a copy on NetGalley... and I was going to wait to read it, really I was... but I had it in my hands and HAD to read it. So I did.
AND I REGRET NOTHING.
First of all, I highly recommend reading the first book, Mystery of the Tempest: A Fisher Key Adventure, before reading this one. There are some situations alluded to in this book that happen in the first that might not make sense to new readers. However, they are few and I believe it COULD stand alone. But why would you want to read this and not the first? It was amazing.
As for this book, it stands up. The intrigue and mystery is just as good as in the first, and I was literally up all night reading it. I just couldn't put it down.
Steven and Denny are great characters, and I was so excited to see more of Sean and Brian. Steven gets himself - yet again - into serious trouble with the girls (THREE of them this time), and Denny has trouble in his first relationship with a guy. He's not sure of himself, and his awkward responses are hilarious but sweet.
I also loved Denny's melodramatic responses to everything. He quite frequently announces that he's going to go drown himself, and once even jumps off the boat and starts to swim away. I was laughing out loud quite often.
Irma and Ed are great additions as well. I would love to see more of them in the next book.
Did I mention next book? Yes I did, because there WILL be a third. There is a sample at the end, and the book ends on a cliffhangar that had me ready to throw my Kindle across the room.
If you're a teen fan of mystery, check out this series. If you like reading about gay teens struggling to accept themselves and come out, Denny is a great character. No matter what, everyone should find something they like in these characters. From the twins' father to their Aunt Riza, all the characters are fascinating and realistic.
AND I REGRET NOTHING.
First of all, I highly recommend reading the first book, Mystery of the Tempest: A Fisher Key Adventure, before reading this one. There are some situations alluded to in this book that happen in the first that might not make sense to new readers. However, they are few and I believe it COULD stand alone. But why would you want to read this and not the first? It was amazing.
As for this book, it stands up. The intrigue and mystery is just as good as in the first, and I was literally up all night reading it. I just couldn't put it down.
Steven and Denny are great characters, and I was so excited to see more of Sean and Brian. Steven gets himself - yet again - into serious trouble with the girls (THREE of them this time), and Denny has trouble in his first relationship with a guy. He's not sure of himself, and his awkward responses are hilarious but sweet.
I also loved Denny's melodramatic responses to everything. He quite frequently announces that he's going to go drown himself, and once even jumps off the boat and starts to swim away. I was laughing out loud quite often.
Irma and Ed are great additions as well. I would love to see more of them in the next book.
Did I mention next book? Yes I did, because there WILL be a third. There is a sample at the end, and the book ends on a cliffhangar that had me ready to throw my Kindle across the room.
If you're a teen fan of mystery, check out this series. If you like reading about gay teens struggling to accept themselves and come out, Denny is a great character. No matter what, everyone should find something they like in these characters. From the twins' father to their Aunt Riza, all the characters are fascinating and realistic.
July 21, 2012
First off, I have not read the first book in this series, but thankfully, it didn't seem to matter. What first caught my eye was that this book took place in the Florida Keys and I am homesick for South Florida at the moment.
Cameron does an excellent job of creating twin character who have completely different attitudes and personalities. Sometimes I favored Denny and then all of the sudden I liked Steven better. Both are equally strong, developed characters who remain both likeable and relatable throughout. It is also great that they both have different relationship goals and preferences; because of this, The Secret of Othello is a novel with something for everyone and deals with issues such as homophobia and violence without beating it into the reader's head.
It does however seem as though almost nothing happens until the last few chapters of the book. It was an enjoyable read, but had so much build up and insignificant minor action. All-in-all, quick, fun read that made me miss the palm trees even more.
Cameron does an excellent job of creating twin character who have completely different attitudes and personalities. Sometimes I favored Denny and then all of the sudden I liked Steven better. Both are equally strong, developed characters who remain both likeable and relatable throughout. It is also great that they both have different relationship goals and preferences; because of this, The Secret of Othello is a novel with something for everyone and deals with issues such as homophobia and violence without beating it into the reader's head.
It does however seem as though almost nothing happens until the last few chapters of the book. It was an enjoyable read, but had so much build up and insignificant minor action. All-in-all, quick, fun read that made me miss the palm trees even more.
March 4, 2016
This is a fun book of a twin boys, who are just graduating from High School and the summer before they start on their lives separately. One is straight and one is Gay, and they are also still best friends. It is written with such reality and such clear character development that is is truly believable. The plot may not be as strong, but it is still worth a read for anyone who enjoys coming out stories and novels. This is a book I wish was available to read when I was that age.
September 9, 2016
This book is a coming of age and coming out story written in a fun, light way. I enjoyed reading the book and found it well written. I can recommend to everyone who likes books about twin boys being best friends and family, but with different goals in life.
****ARC received in exchange for my honest review***
****ARC received in exchange for my honest review***
July 29, 2012
Review to come mid-august.
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