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Waterways
Kory was having enough trouble in high school. His girlfriend just dumped him, his poetry made him a target for ridicule, and college applications were looming. The very last thing he needed was to fall in love with another boy.
Waterways is the complete novel from award-winning author Kyell Gold that includes his beloved story "Aquifers". Join Kory as his feelings and faith collide, washing away the life he knew. His brother Nick, friends Samaki and Malaya, and Father Joe are there to help, but it's Kory who has to navigate the thrills and perils of the new waterways that make up his life.
At Stake? Nothing much -- just a chance at trule love and happiness. And he still has to graduate from high school...
Waterways is the complete novel from award-winning author Kyell Gold that includes his beloved story "Aquifers". Join Kory as his feelings and faith collide, washing away the life he knew. His brother Nick, friends Samaki and Malaya, and Father Joe are there to help, but it's Kory who has to navigate the thrills and perils of the new waterways that make up his life.
At Stake? Nothing much -- just a chance at trule love and happiness. And he still has to graduate from high school...
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 25, 2008
73 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Kyell Gold
66 books635 followersHi there! I am a writer of gay furry fiction--but you probably know that if you've seen my book listing here. I live in California with my husband Kit, and when I'm not writing, we like to go out to eat and watch movies. We travel a lot, too, mostly around the West Coast, but occasionally to the midwest and east.
I blog at http://www.kyellgold.com/wpblog about upcoming travel plans, upcoming books and news, general writing principles, gay rights, and whatever else seems interesting. And I co-host a podcast, called "Unsheathed," where we talk about the craft of writing and the furry fandom, sometimes at the same time.
If you have a question about any of the books, check the FAQ on my website and then ask away! :)
I blog at http://www.kyellgold.com/wpblog about upcoming travel plans, upcoming books and news, general writing principles, gay rights, and whatever else seems interesting. And I co-host a podcast, called "Unsheathed," where we talk about the craft of writing and the furry fandom, sometimes at the same time.
If you have a question about any of the books, check the FAQ on my website and then ask away! :)
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April 1, 2010How I like when I find a book, a real long and complex book, which takes me tied up from the first page to the last with the eagerness to read faster to know what happens and the hope to slow down to make it lasts a bit more. And when I finish the book, I wish to start it again to convince me that, yes, I just read a very very good book and that yes, I found another author that will gift me many beautiful stories in the future...
Kory is a seventeen years old guy. Middle-class family, private school, every gadgets a guy his age could want. But Kory is not happy, he was dumped by his girlfriend cause he wrote a beautiful poem for school paper and he didn't dedicate it to her. Worst, lately he prefers to spend his spare time at home, on line or reading, rather than with her. Probably he would finish dumping her, but still it hurts that she takes the decision from him.
So Kory decides to spend sometime in the municipal pool, and not in the usual private pool where all his friends gather and where he has to suffer the sympathetic smiles... And he meets Samaki. Samaki, same age like him, but from the poor side of the city, is a very nice guy, someone he could talk to. Kory is happy to find a new friend but still, when they part, he has the feeling to have missed something, to have not answered some untold questions by Samaki. And when he recalls all the time spent together he finally understands... Samaki was hitting on him, Samaki is gay...
How can he tells to Samaki that he is not gay? cause he is not gay... but if he is not gay why he has these dreams on Samaki? dreams that he has never had of his former girlfriend? And maybe he is so happy with Samaki cause he feels for him... But what he felt is wrong, Kory is from a strictly catholic family and he knows that God will not love him if he is gay. But when he cofesses his sin to Father Joe, he is surprised to not find a condemned glare in the priest eyes, but instead Father Joe tells him to see inside himself and to ask help if he needs. Not image of hell in front of him, not eternal damnation. And more he opens himself, more people he finds who accept him.
Waterways is the coming age journey of Kory. It's a three part story: Aquifers where Kory discovers what he feels, Streams where he has to take some decisions, and Oceans where he strengthens that decisions and starts his adult life. All along he will have Samaki and along the path he will loose some people and he will find new friends.
Waterways is a pretty intense, very romantic and utterly beautiful novel... so, does it matter if Kory is a otter and Samaki is a fox? Does it matter if this is an anthropomorphic book where all the characters are of different animal species? Someone said to me that people freak out when they are put in front of a book about love between "animals"... I replied that maybe this is a book where it's more problematic the "furry" thing than the gay theme, but that I would read it anyway cause I have no problem at all. And I'm very happy to have done so, cause Waterways is an huge discovery. I find really interesting how Kyell Gold deals with the furry theme, converting all the human world in a melting pot of breeds: usual expressions like "on the other hand" become "on the other paw", the different animal scents can be a problem, but also an arousing thing when Kory dreams of the musky fox scent of his boyfriend, the patch of white fur on Samaki's groin could be arousing like no other else for Kory's young body...
I will treasure Waterways among one of the best book I have ever read and for sure this will be not the last book by Kyell Gold that I will read.
Beautiful cover and interior illustrations by John Nunnemacher.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R4BYNU/?...
Kory is a seventeen years old guy. Middle-class family, private school, every gadgets a guy his age could want. But Kory is not happy, he was dumped by his girlfriend cause he wrote a beautiful poem for school paper and he didn't dedicate it to her. Worst, lately he prefers to spend his spare time at home, on line or reading, rather than with her. Probably he would finish dumping her, but still it hurts that she takes the decision from him.
So Kory decides to spend sometime in the municipal pool, and not in the usual private pool where all his friends gather and where he has to suffer the sympathetic smiles... And he meets Samaki. Samaki, same age like him, but from the poor side of the city, is a very nice guy, someone he could talk to. Kory is happy to find a new friend but still, when they part, he has the feeling to have missed something, to have not answered some untold questions by Samaki. And when he recalls all the time spent together he finally understands... Samaki was hitting on him, Samaki is gay...
How can he tells to Samaki that he is not gay? cause he is not gay... but if he is not gay why he has these dreams on Samaki? dreams that he has never had of his former girlfriend? And maybe he is so happy with Samaki cause he feels for him... But what he felt is wrong, Kory is from a strictly catholic family and he knows that God will not love him if he is gay. But when he cofesses his sin to Father Joe, he is surprised to not find a condemned glare in the priest eyes, but instead Father Joe tells him to see inside himself and to ask help if he needs. Not image of hell in front of him, not eternal damnation. And more he opens himself, more people he finds who accept him.
Waterways is the coming age journey of Kory. It's a three part story: Aquifers where Kory discovers what he feels, Streams where he has to take some decisions, and Oceans where he strengthens that decisions and starts his adult life. All along he will have Samaki and along the path he will loose some people and he will find new friends.
Waterways is a pretty intense, very romantic and utterly beautiful novel... so, does it matter if Kory is a otter and Samaki is a fox? Does it matter if this is an anthropomorphic book where all the characters are of different animal species? Someone said to me that people freak out when they are put in front of a book about love between "animals"... I replied that maybe this is a book where it's more problematic the "furry" thing than the gay theme, but that I would read it anyway cause I have no problem at all. And I'm very happy to have done so, cause Waterways is an huge discovery. I find really interesting how Kyell Gold deals with the furry theme, converting all the human world in a melting pot of breeds: usual expressions like "on the other hand" become "on the other paw", the different animal scents can be a problem, but also an arousing thing when Kory dreams of the musky fox scent of his boyfriend, the patch of white fur on Samaki's groin could be arousing like no other else for Kory's young body...
I will treasure Waterways among one of the best book I have ever read and for sure this will be not the last book by Kyell Gold that I will read.
Beautiful cover and interior illustrations by John Nunnemacher.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R4BYNU/?...
April 28, 2024
2.5 stars.
This book was published 14 years ago, and its outdatedness really shows in its subject matter - coming out. What would be an important and compelling topic in 2008 feels too ordinary and well-trodden in 2024. I didn’t find anything new and interesting, even the anthropomorphic setting failed to capture me. I was bored as hell, and it became such a chore for me to finish the book.
This book was published 14 years ago, and its outdatedness really shows in its subject matter - coming out. What would be an important and compelling topic in 2008 feels too ordinary and well-trodden in 2024. I didn’t find anything new and interesting, even the anthropomorphic setting failed to capture me. I was bored as hell, and it became such a chore for me to finish the book.
March 1, 2011
This is the second book by Gold I’ve read and I think this author has a real knack for clever, interesting stories. The anthropomorphic world he creates is vibrant, engaging, and fresh even while at the heart the stories are simply about a boy meeting a boy and struggling to come out and mature. These young adult stories are warm and charming, even more so with the animal element. I’ve heard some readers say they’re put off by this very detail but I urge readers to take a chance, I think you’ll find this is as romantic and delightful as any contemporary ya m/m romance.
Waterways consists of three short stories starring the same men and in the same universe. I believe the stories were originally published separately but altogether they can be read like one fully realized novel, which is what I did. The trio star high school senior Kory, an otter, who falls in love with Samaki, a sexy black fox with intriguing patches of white. Kory comes to realize he’s gay and attracted to Samaki, but is not sure what that means for his life. Over the course of his last year in school, Kory goes through a lot of changes. He realizes what true friends are, his goals in life, which of his family will support him and which won’t, and finally where his belief and love for God stands.
This coming of age tale is very sweet and genuine. The plot is very character driven as the three novellas combine to show Kory as he first accepts that he may be gay and wants to be boyfriends with Samaki. Then Kory’s life turns upside down when he makes some very revealing choices and finally Kory must mature on his own. Taking responsibility for his choices is a big step for Kory but more so, understanding what he wants and needs. As a multifaceted, fascinating lead narrator Kory is often confused and scared, convinced the world around him will never accept him as gay. He comes to find out that the world is not only made up of extremes and that while some will easily accept him, some won’t and others will be in between. However the hardest path to acceptance is his own as Kory struggles heavily with accepting himself and finally admitting what he wants.
Kory’s path to acceptance is filled with a variety of well rounded secondary characters. From the foxy boyfriend Samaki to his supporting family, the gay homeless shelter and bitter, angry fruit bat, even Kory’s best friend all offer nuanced opinions and actions. None of these characters are rote or extremes and all give depth to the story. There is Kory’s best friend Sal who accepts Kory but later has a falling out. Sal is not flat or typical but he’s still relatable and a good character. He offers a character that is supportive, destructive, missed, and liked all at once. Similarly Samaki is subtle but confident. He’s not overly positive, coming across as realistic but optimistic. He offers a good balance to the overly analytic confusion Kory descends into.
The anthropomorphic setting adds a vivid, eye catching setting to the story. I personally adore these details since the story is at heart a rather conventional, well used coming of age tale about a confused gay teen trying to come to grips with his life. The use of animals brings an inherent warmth and charm into the story. The writing never lets you forget that while the emotions, actions, and situations are all very human, the characters and everyone inhabiting the world are animals. From otters to skunks, bats, squirrels, otters, foxes, sheep priests, and tigers these details don’t quit. There are numerous clever and witty references to pop culture changed to fit the animal world and all of these help keep the story fresh and interesting. Although the young men have sex, the graphic nature is kept subtle and veiled so you get the idea without being too explicit.
The writing is very good with snappy dialogue and a lot of sweet romance. The tone tends to show rather than tell and this helps keep the pace moving even through repeated introspective passages. The only downside is that there are many editing and grammar mistakes. So many that they pull you out of the story and may detract from a reader’s enjoyment. Most of these are small errors but they add up and those sticklers for clean stories may be annoyed here. I’d still recommend this story/collection as it’s delightful to read and very satisfying. There is a lot of romance, some angst, experimental sex, and a lovely coming of age.
Waterways consists of three short stories starring the same men and in the same universe. I believe the stories were originally published separately but altogether they can be read like one fully realized novel, which is what I did. The trio star high school senior Kory, an otter, who falls in love with Samaki, a sexy black fox with intriguing patches of white. Kory comes to realize he’s gay and attracted to Samaki, but is not sure what that means for his life. Over the course of his last year in school, Kory goes through a lot of changes. He realizes what true friends are, his goals in life, which of his family will support him and which won’t, and finally where his belief and love for God stands.
This coming of age tale is very sweet and genuine. The plot is very character driven as the three novellas combine to show Kory as he first accepts that he may be gay and wants to be boyfriends with Samaki. Then Kory’s life turns upside down when he makes some very revealing choices and finally Kory must mature on his own. Taking responsibility for his choices is a big step for Kory but more so, understanding what he wants and needs. As a multifaceted, fascinating lead narrator Kory is often confused and scared, convinced the world around him will never accept him as gay. He comes to find out that the world is not only made up of extremes and that while some will easily accept him, some won’t and others will be in between. However the hardest path to acceptance is his own as Kory struggles heavily with accepting himself and finally admitting what he wants.
Kory’s path to acceptance is filled with a variety of well rounded secondary characters. From the foxy boyfriend Samaki to his supporting family, the gay homeless shelter and bitter, angry fruit bat, even Kory’s best friend all offer nuanced opinions and actions. None of these characters are rote or extremes and all give depth to the story. There is Kory’s best friend Sal who accepts Kory but later has a falling out. Sal is not flat or typical but he’s still relatable and a good character. He offers a character that is supportive, destructive, missed, and liked all at once. Similarly Samaki is subtle but confident. He’s not overly positive, coming across as realistic but optimistic. He offers a good balance to the overly analytic confusion Kory descends into.
The anthropomorphic setting adds a vivid, eye catching setting to the story. I personally adore these details since the story is at heart a rather conventional, well used coming of age tale about a confused gay teen trying to come to grips with his life. The use of animals brings an inherent warmth and charm into the story. The writing never lets you forget that while the emotions, actions, and situations are all very human, the characters and everyone inhabiting the world are animals. From otters to skunks, bats, squirrels, otters, foxes, sheep priests, and tigers these details don’t quit. There are numerous clever and witty references to pop culture changed to fit the animal world and all of these help keep the story fresh and interesting. Although the young men have sex, the graphic nature is kept subtle and veiled so you get the idea without being too explicit.
The writing is very good with snappy dialogue and a lot of sweet romance. The tone tends to show rather than tell and this helps keep the pace moving even through repeated introspective passages. The only downside is that there are many editing and grammar mistakes. So many that they pull you out of the story and may detract from a reader’s enjoyment. Most of these are small errors but they add up and those sticklers for clean stories may be annoyed here. I’d still recommend this story/collection as it’s delightful to read and very satisfying. There is a lot of romance, some angst, experimental sex, and a lovely coming of age.
January 10, 2020
This book is a work of pure fantasy -and I don’t mean that just because it features anthropomorphic mammals. No, the most unrealistic things about this novel are the financial independence of minors using only part-time side gigs, the affordability of higher education, the seeming ease with which two minors with no credit history were able to be approved for an apartment lease, and the availability of significant individual scholarships and full-ride opportunities.
For real though, this was an ok book. It’s like Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets Release, which isn’t exactly to the book’s credit.
Aquifer’s has all of the stakes of Release: religious family conflict, self-hate, fear of life beyond graduation, and fear of shunning/rejection. Meanwhile sex and sex-talk pops up nearly constantly at inappropriate times.
But it has the pacing of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -meaning that these stakes are stretched out to their absolute limit across the space of an entire year, causing the tension to fray while the story refuses to seek resolution and delay important conversations for as long as possible.
Other than that the book is fine.
Structurally, the story is broken into three parts.
Part one is by far my favorite of the three. In this leg of the novel, Kory, our gay teen protagonist, is reeling from a recent breakup, and bullying at school over his poetry has forced him to seek refuge in the municipal pool furthest from home, where hopefully no one will know him and he can finally relax. However, a mild concussion leads to meeting Samaki, a fast new friend that Kory unexpectedly becomes attracted to. Part one sees Kory struggling with his own sexual identity as it clashes with his own tightly held religious beliefs before finally giving in and letting himself explore the depths of his own emotions.
Part two is about how Kory’s orientation affects those closest to him -friends, family, and of course his new boyfriend. Throughout much of this leg, Kory struggles to stay largely in the closet. Conversations about homophobia and the unfairness of life abound, leading to second-hand domestic violence, and Kory getting kicked out of home.
Part three might honestly be my least favorite. The final arc of Kory’s journey places his personal identity into the context of his larger community -which is fine, but the way it’s presented gives me mixed feelings. The consequences of Kory’s coming out (intentionally or not) are always kept somewhat at arms length. The victim of domestic abuse from the previous part is not Kory. The victim of the brunt of the bullying at school surrounding Kory’s sexual orientation isn’t doled out on Kory, but his now ex-best friend.
We hear stories of people getting kicked out, experiencing physical violence, and coming to live in halfway homes, but Kory lives behind a fort of pillows by virtue of the fact that for most of the book he either has no friends or interacts with no one who isn’t gay or involved in the queer community. He simply doesn’t have enough socialization with other people for him to feel the brunt of it -yet the fear of it dogs him. Even Kory getting kicked out of his home is severely undercut by the fact that he can miraculously afford the cost of living independently -in addition to being able to finance college on his own.
I like the conflict between Samaki and Kory in part three. Samaki wants to be able to enjoy being in a relationship with Kory without always worrying about who knows. Kory is a much more private individual. His fears and anxiety are just as valid as Samaki’s desires to not worry about being out in public. However, this conflict stretches on for so long. Important conversations don’t happen until it’s too late, and the fact that the novel never introduces or involves Samaki’s other friends severely undercuts how offended Samaki is when Kory claims that Samaki’s coming out was easy.
Samaki is the real victim of this story’s structure. He’s not allowed to be much more than a charming vehicle for Kory’s plot. He’s not a person, he’s an anthropomorphic ideology regarding how to be out. He isn’t humanized with faults or outside friendships or even much of a history. Heck, aside from being told he’s into journalism, we never see him writing or hear about him being involved with the school paper or dragging Kory around to get stories. Instead he’s painted as the patron saint of gay kids. He’s around when I guess the story thinks it needs sex or a gay talk, but that’s about it.
In a lot of ways, this book reminds me of At the Edge of the Universe in the way it handles talking about LGBT issues -which, again, isn’t a great thing. The characters love to ruminate on queer topics and issues both explicitly and through thinly veiled metaphors. These are important talks and conversations, but all too often it detracts from exploring the characters. They become issues that are never solved, probably incapable of being solved, instead of people.
This isn’t a YA book. I wanted so badly for it to be one, but it wasn’t. Maybe the magical world of 2008 is just too far away now for me to remember what being a kid at that time was like. Maybe kids today are too different from ten years ago. Maybe I lack the ability to connect with a pre-recession world full of money and possibility. Overall everything just felt too clean to really relate to. Kory and Samaki felt too old and independent for actual teens. They were too perfect and their situation too orderly to be real.
I really don’t know what I was supposed to get out of this book. In a lot of ways it’s a coming out story in morbidly slow motion, but I never felt like the story grapples with why/when to come out or lends value to those situations in which you shouldn’t.
Is this a story about personal identity? If so, it’s horribly insular. The novel spends so much time in Kory’s head and so little time interacting with his world. As a result, all of his major character developments take place either in his own head or very fast in one flash of a scene. There isn’t enough social interaction to place Kory’s development into a larger context.
I know what I got out of this. I’m going to hold onto a few choice moments where Kory is struggling to reconcile his religious beliefs with his orientation -but even here the story never satisfies that thread. Kory never visits the support group for gay Catholics, and beyond repeating that god is love and Kory loves Samaki and that means god loves Kory, we don’t really find resolution.
I’m rambling now. I guess what I’m trying to say is that this book was too long and unfocused to be anything in particular. Other books have addressed these topics and personal development issues much better. Hell, other Kyell Gold stories have better addressed these issues.
I don’t know who to recommend this to. I got stuff out of it, but it could have been a much tighter story if it weren’t so sprawling.
In the end. It’s ok. I’ve read worse, but I’ve also read a whole lot better.
For real though, this was an ok book. It’s like Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets Release, which isn’t exactly to the book’s credit.
Aquifer’s has all of the stakes of Release: religious family conflict, self-hate, fear of life beyond graduation, and fear of shunning/rejection. Meanwhile sex and sex-talk pops up nearly constantly at inappropriate times.
But it has the pacing of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -meaning that these stakes are stretched out to their absolute limit across the space of an entire year, causing the tension to fray while the story refuses to seek resolution and delay important conversations for as long as possible.
Other than that the book is fine.
Structurally, the story is broken into three parts.
Part one is by far my favorite of the three. In this leg of the novel, Kory, our gay teen protagonist, is reeling from a recent breakup, and bullying at school over his poetry has forced him to seek refuge in the municipal pool furthest from home, where hopefully no one will know him and he can finally relax. However, a mild concussion leads to meeting Samaki, a fast new friend that Kory unexpectedly becomes attracted to. Part one sees Kory struggling with his own sexual identity as it clashes with his own tightly held religious beliefs before finally giving in and letting himself explore the depths of his own emotions.
Part two is about how Kory’s orientation affects those closest to him -friends, family, and of course his new boyfriend. Throughout much of this leg, Kory struggles to stay largely in the closet. Conversations about homophobia and the unfairness of life abound, leading to second-hand domestic violence, and Kory getting kicked out of home.
Part three might honestly be my least favorite. The final arc of Kory’s journey places his personal identity into the context of his larger community -which is fine, but the way it’s presented gives me mixed feelings. The consequences of Kory’s coming out (intentionally or not) are always kept somewhat at arms length. The victim of domestic abuse from the previous part is not Kory. The victim of the brunt of the bullying at school surrounding Kory’s sexual orientation isn’t doled out on Kory, but his now ex-best friend.
We hear stories of people getting kicked out, experiencing physical violence, and coming to live in halfway homes, but Kory lives behind a fort of pillows by virtue of the fact that for most of the book he either has no friends or interacts with no one who isn’t gay or involved in the queer community. He simply doesn’t have enough socialization with other people for him to feel the brunt of it -yet the fear of it dogs him. Even Kory getting kicked out of his home is severely undercut by the fact that he can miraculously afford the cost of living independently -in addition to being able to finance college on his own.
I like the conflict between Samaki and Kory in part three. Samaki wants to be able to enjoy being in a relationship with Kory without always worrying about who knows. Kory is a much more private individual. His fears and anxiety are just as valid as Samaki’s desires to not worry about being out in public. However, this conflict stretches on for so long. Important conversations don’t happen until it’s too late, and the fact that the novel never introduces or involves Samaki’s other friends severely undercuts how offended Samaki is when Kory claims that Samaki’s coming out was easy.
Samaki is the real victim of this story’s structure. He’s not allowed to be much more than a charming vehicle for Kory’s plot. He’s not a person, he’s an anthropomorphic ideology regarding how to be out. He isn’t humanized with faults or outside friendships or even much of a history. Heck, aside from being told he’s into journalism, we never see him writing or hear about him being involved with the school paper or dragging Kory around to get stories. Instead he’s painted as the patron saint of gay kids. He’s around when I guess the story thinks it needs sex or a gay talk, but that’s about it.
In a lot of ways, this book reminds me of At the Edge of the Universe in the way it handles talking about LGBT issues -which, again, isn’t a great thing. The characters love to ruminate on queer topics and issues both explicitly and through thinly veiled metaphors. These are important talks and conversations, but all too often it detracts from exploring the characters. They become issues that are never solved, probably incapable of being solved, instead of people.
This isn’t a YA book. I wanted so badly for it to be one, but it wasn’t. Maybe the magical world of 2008 is just too far away now for me to remember what being a kid at that time was like. Maybe kids today are too different from ten years ago. Maybe I lack the ability to connect with a pre-recession world full of money and possibility. Overall everything just felt too clean to really relate to. Kory and Samaki felt too old and independent for actual teens. They were too perfect and their situation too orderly to be real.
I really don’t know what I was supposed to get out of this book. In a lot of ways it’s a coming out story in morbidly slow motion, but I never felt like the story grapples with why/when to come out or lends value to those situations in which you shouldn’t.
Is this a story about personal identity? If so, it’s horribly insular. The novel spends so much time in Kory’s head and so little time interacting with his world. As a result, all of his major character developments take place either in his own head or very fast in one flash of a scene. There isn’t enough social interaction to place Kory’s development into a larger context.
I know what I got out of this. I’m going to hold onto a few choice moments where Kory is struggling to reconcile his religious beliefs with his orientation -but even here the story never satisfies that thread. Kory never visits the support group for gay Catholics, and beyond repeating that god is love and Kory loves Samaki and that means god loves Kory, we don’t really find resolution.
I’m rambling now. I guess what I’m trying to say is that this book was too long and unfocused to be anything in particular. Other books have addressed these topics and personal development issues much better. Hell, other Kyell Gold stories have better addressed these issues.
I don’t know who to recommend this to. I got stuff out of it, but it could have been a much tighter story if it weren’t so sprawling.
In the end. It’s ok. I’ve read worse, but I’ve also read a whole lot better.
January 3, 2021
I found this book surprisingly strong. It's an anthropomorphic YA novel about a high school guy unexpectedly getting a boyfriend and coming to terms with being gay. He spends much of the book struggling with accepting himself as evidenced by his continual flirting with being closeted. If I didn't know so many gay men of all ages, I would find this unbelievable. It isn't. Men in their fifties have this problem, sometimes in spades - I know, I dated one for a year.
It also made me reflect on my own behavior, and think about the times I just found it... easier... to go along and not express who I am. I know I'm happier not dissembling, however less easy it may be.
The anthropomorphic aspect is minimal in this book, almost feels like a symbol for racial diversity. No explanation is offered for why anthropomorphic folks exist, and their differences from ordinary humans don't extend beyond a few physical differences.
Somewhat oddly to me, the publisher states this book is only for 18+. The sex scenes integrate well with the story and aren't any more graphic than other modern YA books. They provide a realistic and positive take on adolescent male same sex relationships. This should be on the shelves of high schools.
It also made me reflect on my own behavior, and think about the times I just found it... easier... to go along and not express who I am. I know I'm happier not dissembling, however less easy it may be.
The anthropomorphic aspect is minimal in this book, almost feels like a symbol for racial diversity. No explanation is offered for why anthropomorphic folks exist, and their differences from ordinary humans don't extend beyond a few physical differences.
Somewhat oddly to me, the publisher states this book is only for 18+. The sex scenes integrate well with the story and aren't any more graphic than other modern YA books. They provide a realistic and positive take on adolescent male same sex relationships. This should be on the shelves of high schools.
January 15, 2014
Yeah, I wish I'd be more enthusiastic about this book as so many others here, unfortunately i lost any interest in characters and development after 2/3 of the story. It was so fun at the beginning, kory was so passive yet strong, but then it went downhill for me. It was to much whining for me... Like chewing on extremely tasteless bubble gum... I wasn't sure how someone would endure Korys attitude. While I read like 50 pages if his whining and self pity at the end I stopped to care about him (t.b.h. I started to hate him) and over jumped the self centered drama.
November 7, 2011
3.5-4 stars. A sweet YA coming of age story that treads the familiar in how the story is executed, even if the MC's are an otter (!!!!) and a fox. I guess the major problem for me about this would have been the real lack of conflict and, given what conflict there were, felt like it'd been done before. Still, the "furry" aspect of it intrigues me and I would read more from this author.
June 29, 2015
Bookworm Speaks!
Waterways
by Kyell Gold
*****
On Friday, June 26th, 2015, a date that shall be remembered for history everlasting, The Supreme Court of the United States of America, ruled in recognition of same-sex marriage across the country. It is now legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married in every single state. Truly…a victory for progressives everywhere, ensuring greater equality for every stripe of the human race. To mark this auspicious occasion for human rights, Bookworm shall review a recently acquired book about a young gay couple and their journey together.
The Story: Kory was having enough trouble in high school. His girlfriend just dumped him, his poetry made him a target for ridicule, and college applications were looming. The very last thing he needed was to fall in love with another boy.
The Good: Waterways takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, Kory is an otter and Samaki is a black fox. There is a also a bat character, a ram, raccoons, and a bunch of other characters. For the uninformed…this book represents a certain subculture known as furries, that revolves around anthropomorphic animals. This does not at all detract from the quality of the story and everyone should take the opportunity to peruse stories that take place in this subculture. Overall, the story is pretty much all about normal human relationships: It takes place in the suburbs, the characters go to Starbucks, and attend high school and worry about the prom. At the same time, the author takes time to build a world that accommodates the needs of (for lack of a better term) of different species of animals. Kory is from a family of otters and otters are aquatic mammals, thus Kory’s house has a pool and canals that go into the house itself. This feels like a real need for otters if they lived in houses. Samaki is a fox and thus he and his family emit a strong musk that the other character’s notice. Later, in the book, it is stated that thicker furred beings want to shed their coats from the summer heat. These little details help a great deal in building the world even though it takes place in Suburbia USA, and frankly thats the correct way to do it. Little details that describe everyday life, not long tracts of exposition.
What makes this book so good is that a lot of the drama comes from Kory and Samaki themselves. Bookworm imagines there is this belief that for gay couples, they are all alone in a hostile world which aims to tear them apart. Don’t get the wrong idea, there is plenty of that here, but also there is conflict between the couple themselves, just like real life couples. Both parties make mistakes while they chart the waters of their relationship. As far as sexuality is concerned, both are at differing stages. Kory has only recently discovered that he is gay and struggles with its and its repercussions. Samaki, on the other hand, has come to terms with his sexuality and has already worked through the repercussions, if their was any. That causes friction in their relationship as Samaki wants to flaunt his boyfriend and Kory is very worried that it could cause permanent damage to what he has managed to build in his life. Both character’s make mistakes and the relationship suffers. Samaki may sympathize with the losses in Kory’s life as a result of his coming out but he does not understand how much it hurts Kory and how afraid he is of losing more. On the other side, Kory has found the love of his life, and how he pushes away such joys can seem cowardly on his part. He, too does not understand how much his actions hurt Samaki. All of this showcase the author’s skill in depicting the two way nature of any relationship.
The Flaws: There is very little that is wrong about this book. It is not a good book about homosexuals or a good furry book, it is a good book period. However, there are a few flaws here and there.
The biggest one is that the plot sags a little bit around the end of Aquifers and the beginning of Streams. At that stage, Kory and Samaki are in the “honeymoon” stage of the relationship, while heartwarming, it is not very exciting. Normal relationships are rarely good entertainment, as anyone who has a read fiction or watched television can tell you. This is not helped by Kory’s life, which is about as white-bread suburban as one can get. This was the part where Bookworm put the book down for a little bit. Thankfully the plot picks up as the relationship goes through growing pains and the honeymoon period ends.
Also, there is something a little confusing about the character of Samaki. Some hints are dropped here and there but it seems like the author is trying to make the character African American. While technically, he is a walking, talking animal and thusly has no race, there is some innuendo. It is stated that his family came from Africa which may be all the proof needed. Even though its not really appropriate and it definitely should not matter, one can not help but think in terms of race, and making it inconsistent won’t break the story, it can be one of those details that nags at the reader.
Finally…a bit of a nitpick here, but one of the perks of this novel is how Kory’s brother, Nick, still remains loyal to his brother throughout his trials. Its very touching but, Nick is a bit of blank slate. There is not much going on with him, he is just there. Perhaps his character could have been expanded on a little bit more. Just to add some flavor.
Final Verdict: Waterways is a superb novel. Probably the best coming-of-age novel Bookworm has ever read. A good book by any definition. One that teaches all…Love is Love.
Five out of Five Stars
Go Buy One Now!!!
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
Waterways
by Kyell Gold
*****
On Friday, June 26th, 2015, a date that shall be remembered for history everlasting, The Supreme Court of the United States of America, ruled in recognition of same-sex marriage across the country. It is now legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married in every single state. Truly…a victory for progressives everywhere, ensuring greater equality for every stripe of the human race. To mark this auspicious occasion for human rights, Bookworm shall review a recently acquired book about a young gay couple and their journey together.
The Story: Kory was having enough trouble in high school. His girlfriend just dumped him, his poetry made him a target for ridicule, and college applications were looming. The very last thing he needed was to fall in love with another boy.
The Good: Waterways takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, Kory is an otter and Samaki is a black fox. There is a also a bat character, a ram, raccoons, and a bunch of other characters. For the uninformed…this book represents a certain subculture known as furries, that revolves around anthropomorphic animals. This does not at all detract from the quality of the story and everyone should take the opportunity to peruse stories that take place in this subculture. Overall, the story is pretty much all about normal human relationships: It takes place in the suburbs, the characters go to Starbucks, and attend high school and worry about the prom. At the same time, the author takes time to build a world that accommodates the needs of (for lack of a better term) of different species of animals. Kory is from a family of otters and otters are aquatic mammals, thus Kory’s house has a pool and canals that go into the house itself. This feels like a real need for otters if they lived in houses. Samaki is a fox and thus he and his family emit a strong musk that the other character’s notice. Later, in the book, it is stated that thicker furred beings want to shed their coats from the summer heat. These little details help a great deal in building the world even though it takes place in Suburbia USA, and frankly thats the correct way to do it. Little details that describe everyday life, not long tracts of exposition.
What makes this book so good is that a lot of the drama comes from Kory and Samaki themselves. Bookworm imagines there is this belief that for gay couples, they are all alone in a hostile world which aims to tear them apart. Don’t get the wrong idea, there is plenty of that here, but also there is conflict between the couple themselves, just like real life couples. Both parties make mistakes while they chart the waters of their relationship. As far as sexuality is concerned, both are at differing stages. Kory has only recently discovered that he is gay and struggles with its and its repercussions. Samaki, on the other hand, has come to terms with his sexuality and has already worked through the repercussions, if their was any. That causes friction in their relationship as Samaki wants to flaunt his boyfriend and Kory is very worried that it could cause permanent damage to what he has managed to build in his life. Both character’s make mistakes and the relationship suffers. Samaki may sympathize with the losses in Kory’s life as a result of his coming out but he does not understand how much it hurts Kory and how afraid he is of losing more. On the other side, Kory has found the love of his life, and how he pushes away such joys can seem cowardly on his part. He, too does not understand how much his actions hurt Samaki. All of this showcase the author’s skill in depicting the two way nature of any relationship.
The Flaws: There is very little that is wrong about this book. It is not a good book about homosexuals or a good furry book, it is a good book period. However, there are a few flaws here and there.
The biggest one is that the plot sags a little bit around the end of Aquifers and the beginning of Streams. At that stage, Kory and Samaki are in the “honeymoon” stage of the relationship, while heartwarming, it is not very exciting. Normal relationships are rarely good entertainment, as anyone who has a read fiction or watched television can tell you. This is not helped by Kory’s life, which is about as white-bread suburban as one can get. This was the part where Bookworm put the book down for a little bit. Thankfully the plot picks up as the relationship goes through growing pains and the honeymoon period ends.
Also, there is something a little confusing about the character of Samaki. Some hints are dropped here and there but it seems like the author is trying to make the character African American. While technically, he is a walking, talking animal and thusly has no race, there is some innuendo. It is stated that his family came from Africa which may be all the proof needed. Even though its not really appropriate and it definitely should not matter, one can not help but think in terms of race, and making it inconsistent won’t break the story, it can be one of those details that nags at the reader.
Finally…a bit of a nitpick here, but one of the perks of this novel is how Kory’s brother, Nick, still remains loyal to his brother throughout his trials. Its very touching but, Nick is a bit of blank slate. There is not much going on with him, he is just there. Perhaps his character could have been expanded on a little bit more. Just to add some flavor.
Final Verdict: Waterways is a superb novel. Probably the best coming-of-age novel Bookworm has ever read. A good book by any definition. One that teaches all…Love is Love.
Five out of Five Stars
Go Buy One Now!!!
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
August 7, 2018
Esta reseña será muy especial y la publicaré aquí, tanto en español (mi idioma natal) como en inglés, para el resto la entienda y me entienda.
This review is going to be very special and I will publish here in spanish (my language) and in English, so that the rest understands it and understands me.
Waterways es la historia de Kory, una nutria que vive una vida medianamente común y corriente, atravesada por un poema que hizo y que lo pone en un foco de atención particular e incómodo para él.
Este poema y un encuentro casual lo unirá con Samaki, un zorro abiertamente gay, que vive su vida, repartida entre su familia y el Centro Arco Iris, un lugar, un refugio para los jóvenes LGBT que huyen de casa, ya sea por miedo, amenazas o sus familias los echaron.
Y el conocerlo cambiará la vida de Kory por completo, obligándolo a pensar en lo que en verdad quiere, quién de verdad lo quiere, quitando máscaras y descubriendo amistades, además del lado más auténtico y oculto de las personas que lo rodean. Y deberá tomar decisiones, decisiones muy difíciles que marcarán no solo su vida actual, sino a si mismo y a lo que desea en su futuro.
Siendo esté el resumen bien acomodado, voy a contarles una historia. La mía.
Yo soy gay, salí del clóset a mí mismo hace casi 5 años y no ha sido un proceso fácil, en absoluto.
Estaba en los últimos años de la secundaria y estaba muy confundido, muy aterrado por estas cosas que me pasaban y sentía y al propio miedo a lo que dirían en mi familia y sobre todo, a su reacción.
Otra cosa: no soy furry pero si conozco mucha gente que lo es y me hicieron acercarme a su fandom, al que le tengo mucho aprecio. Y entre tantas cosas que conocí de todo eso, un día, conocí esta historia.
Yo ya me estaba enganchando en la lectura como nunca y justo apareció este libro. Desde que leí la sinopsis y unas cosas que me contaron de él, me lo puse a leer.
Y la experiencia fue enormemente abarcadora, en todos los aspectos posibles.
Ame, literalmente y aún los amo, a todos los personajes. Kory, Samaki, Margo, Nick, los chicos y la señora del Centro Arco Iris. Fue todo tan, pero tan.. chocante para mí, porque me sentí tan identificado con Kory como con ningún personaje en la vida en todos los libros que leí (y sigo leyendo, hasta hoy y faltan muchos).
Y me siento identificado porque pasé por algo muy similar (tal vez no al punto de echarme de casa). Mi mamá se enteró de mi sexualidad y prácticamente, me obligo a reprimirla, a "dejar de ser eso", a renunciar a mí mismo y fueron momentos muy horribles, la pasé muy pero muy mal, estaba prácticamente solo.
Pero supongo que muchos sabrán que, en nuestros peores momentos, salen las verdaderas personas que nos quieren. Y así fue con unas amigas en la escuela. Pero mí mayor sorpresa, la que me hizo casi llorar de emoción (porque antes hubo una turbia y triste historia de fondo entre ambos) fue la completa aceptación de mi hermano menor. Si, él es el único en mi familia que me quiere tal cual como soy y sigue apoyándome en todo, pase lo pasé.
Como verán, casualmente (en serio, fue así como lo cuento), pase por todo con respecto a mi familia, además del apoyo de mí actual ex novio, con quién estuvimos 4 años juntos y fue el principal soporte para que yo pudiera seguir aquí, sino, lo dudo.
Esta historia no será la mejor escrita del universo, no tendrá un enorme amplitud como otras, pero tiene tantas cosas bonitas, como el desarrollo de sus personajes, que es lo mejor que hay, porque nos muestra y nos hace sentir como se siente Kory y es algo que necesitaba mucho. Una voz y entenderla. Ni hablar de la historia en si y como todo va siendo un proceso que avanza y se comprende.
Tal vez si, me hubiera gustado más desarrollo en más personajes, pero el viaje de Kory se vuelve tan personal para mí, que no tengo problemas con esto.
Aún con ciertos problemas que seguramente él arreglo en otras historias, le doy 5 estrellas porque me parece una lectura irrepetible, inolvidable y obligatoria, seas o no furry. Porque muestra una experiencia, un viaje de autodescubrimiento, con sus miedos, limitaciones que nosotros tenemos.
Sobre todo, con lo fuerte que dejó su marca en mi. Hago esto ahora porque hace unos días, esta historia volvió a mi cabeza y volví a leer partes importantes de la historia y volví a emocionarme. Y recordé todas las sensaciones. Y quería dejar expresado lo que vivi y sentía. Gracias Kyell Gold.
Mil veces gracias. Tal vez a muchos los marcó Out of Position (la leeré pronto, con todas sus secuelas, ya que ahora sí estoy en modo universitario jejeje) pero Waterways me marcó como ninguna historia lo hizo jamás en mi vida. Gracias.
Waterways is the story of Kory, an otter who lives a moderately common life, traversed by a poem he made and which puts him in a focus of particular attention and uncomfortable for him.
This poem and a chance meeting will unite him with Samaki, an openly gay fox, who lives his life, divided between his family and the Rainbow Center, a place, a refuge for LGBT young people who flee from home, either out of fear, threats or their families threw them out.
And knowing him will change Kory's life completely, forcing him to think about what he really wants, who really loves him, taking off masks and discovering friendships, as well as the most authentic and hidden side of the people around him. And he must make decisions, very difficult decisions that will mark not only his current life, but himself and what he wants in his future.
Being the summary well accommodated, I will tell you a story. Mine.
I am gay, I came out of the closet myself almost 5 years ago and it has not been an easy process at all.
I was in the last years of high school and I was very confused, very terrified by these things that happened to me and I felt and to my own fear of what they would say in my family and above all, to their reaction.
Another thing: I'm not furry but I know a lot of people who are and they made me get closer to their fandom, to which I have a lot of appreciation. And among so many things that I knew about all that, one day, I knew this story.
I was already engaging in reading as never before and this book appeared just. Since I read the synopsis and some things that they told me about him, I started reading it.
And the experience was enormously comprehensive, in all possible aspects.
Love, literally and still love, all the characters. Kory, Samaki, Margo, Nick, the boys and the lady from the Rainbow Center. It was all so, but so ... shocking to me, because I felt as identified with Kory as with any character in life in all the books I read (and I still read, until today and many are missing).
And I feel identified because I went through something very similar (maybe not to the point of throwing me out of the house). My mom found out about my sexuality and practically, I forced myself to repress it, to "stop being that", to renounce myself and it was very horrible moments, I had a very, very bad time, I was practically alone.
But I guess many will know that, in our worst moments, the real people who love us come out. And so it was with some friends at school. But my biggest surprise, the one that made me almost cry with emotion (because before there was a cloudy and sad background story between the two) was the complete acceptance of my younger brother. Yes, he is the only one in my family who loves me as I am and continues to support me in everything, I passed the time.
As you can see, coincidentally (seriously, that's how I tell it), I went through everything regarding my family, besides the support of my current ex-boyfriend, with whom we were 4 years together and was the main support so I could continue here , If I do not doubt it.
This story will not be the best written of the universe, it will not have a huge amplitude like others, but it has so many beautiful things, like the development of its characters, which is the best there is, because it shows us and makes us feel like Kory feels and It is something that I needed a lot. A voice and understand it. Not to mention the history itself and how everything is being a process that advances and is understood.
Maybe yes, I would have liked more development in more characters, but Kory's journey becomes so personal to me, that I have no problems with this.
Even with certain problems that he probably fix in other stories, I give him 5 stars because it seems to me a unique, unforgettable and obligatory reading, whether or not you are furry. Because it shows an experience, a journey of self-discovery, with its fears, limitations that we have.
Above all, with how strong your brand left me. I do this now because a few days ago, this story came back to my head and I read again important parts of the story and I got excited again. And I remembered all the sensations. And I wanted to express what I lived and felt. Thanks Kyell Gold.
A thousand times thanks. Maybe many people marked Out of Position (I'll read it soon, with all its sequels, since now I'm in university mode jejeje) but Waterways marked me like no story I ever did in my life. Thank you.
This review is going to be very special and I will publish here in spanish (my language) and in English, so that the rest understands it and understands me.
Waterways es la historia de Kory, una nutria que vive una vida medianamente común y corriente, atravesada por un poema que hizo y que lo pone en un foco de atención particular e incómodo para él.
Este poema y un encuentro casual lo unirá con Samaki, un zorro abiertamente gay, que vive su vida, repartida entre su familia y el Centro Arco Iris, un lugar, un refugio para los jóvenes LGBT que huyen de casa, ya sea por miedo, amenazas o sus familias los echaron.
Y el conocerlo cambiará la vida de Kory por completo, obligándolo a pensar en lo que en verdad quiere, quién de verdad lo quiere, quitando máscaras y descubriendo amistades, además del lado más auténtico y oculto de las personas que lo rodean. Y deberá tomar decisiones, decisiones muy difíciles que marcarán no solo su vida actual, sino a si mismo y a lo que desea en su futuro.
Siendo esté el resumen bien acomodado, voy a contarles una historia. La mía.
Yo soy gay, salí del clóset a mí mismo hace casi 5 años y no ha sido un proceso fácil, en absoluto.
Estaba en los últimos años de la secundaria y estaba muy confundido, muy aterrado por estas cosas que me pasaban y sentía y al propio miedo a lo que dirían en mi familia y sobre todo, a su reacción.
Otra cosa: no soy furry pero si conozco mucha gente que lo es y me hicieron acercarme a su fandom, al que le tengo mucho aprecio. Y entre tantas cosas que conocí de todo eso, un día, conocí esta historia.
Yo ya me estaba enganchando en la lectura como nunca y justo apareció este libro. Desde que leí la sinopsis y unas cosas que me contaron de él, me lo puse a leer.
Y la experiencia fue enormemente abarcadora, en todos los aspectos posibles.
Ame, literalmente y aún los amo, a todos los personajes. Kory, Samaki, Margo, Nick, los chicos y la señora del Centro Arco Iris. Fue todo tan, pero tan.. chocante para mí, porque me sentí tan identificado con Kory como con ningún personaje en la vida en todos los libros que leí (y sigo leyendo, hasta hoy y faltan muchos).
Y me siento identificado porque pasé por algo muy similar (tal vez no al punto de echarme de casa). Mi mamá se enteró de mi sexualidad y prácticamente, me obligo a reprimirla, a "dejar de ser eso", a renunciar a mí mismo y fueron momentos muy horribles, la pasé muy pero muy mal, estaba prácticamente solo.
Pero supongo que muchos sabrán que, en nuestros peores momentos, salen las verdaderas personas que nos quieren. Y así fue con unas amigas en la escuela. Pero mí mayor sorpresa, la que me hizo casi llorar de emoción (porque antes hubo una turbia y triste historia de fondo entre ambos) fue la completa aceptación de mi hermano menor. Si, él es el único en mi familia que me quiere tal cual como soy y sigue apoyándome en todo, pase lo pasé.
Como verán, casualmente (en serio, fue así como lo cuento), pase por todo con respecto a mi familia, además del apoyo de mí actual ex novio, con quién estuvimos 4 años juntos y fue el principal soporte para que yo pudiera seguir aquí, sino, lo dudo.
Esta historia no será la mejor escrita del universo, no tendrá un enorme amplitud como otras, pero tiene tantas cosas bonitas, como el desarrollo de sus personajes, que es lo mejor que hay, porque nos muestra y nos hace sentir como se siente Kory y es algo que necesitaba mucho. Una voz y entenderla. Ni hablar de la historia en si y como todo va siendo un proceso que avanza y se comprende.
Tal vez si, me hubiera gustado más desarrollo en más personajes, pero el viaje de Kory se vuelve tan personal para mí, que no tengo problemas con esto.
Aún con ciertos problemas que seguramente él arreglo en otras historias, le doy 5 estrellas porque me parece una lectura irrepetible, inolvidable y obligatoria, seas o no furry. Porque muestra una experiencia, un viaje de autodescubrimiento, con sus miedos, limitaciones que nosotros tenemos.
Sobre todo, con lo fuerte que dejó su marca en mi. Hago esto ahora porque hace unos días, esta historia volvió a mi cabeza y volví a leer partes importantes de la historia y volví a emocionarme. Y recordé todas las sensaciones. Y quería dejar expresado lo que vivi y sentía. Gracias Kyell Gold.
Mil veces gracias. Tal vez a muchos los marcó Out of Position (la leeré pronto, con todas sus secuelas, ya que ahora sí estoy en modo universitario jejeje) pero Waterways me marcó como ninguna historia lo hizo jamás en mi vida. Gracias.
Waterways is the story of Kory, an otter who lives a moderately common life, traversed by a poem he made and which puts him in a focus of particular attention and uncomfortable for him.
This poem and a chance meeting will unite him with Samaki, an openly gay fox, who lives his life, divided between his family and the Rainbow Center, a place, a refuge for LGBT young people who flee from home, either out of fear, threats or their families threw them out.
And knowing him will change Kory's life completely, forcing him to think about what he really wants, who really loves him, taking off masks and discovering friendships, as well as the most authentic and hidden side of the people around him. And he must make decisions, very difficult decisions that will mark not only his current life, but himself and what he wants in his future.
Being the summary well accommodated, I will tell you a story. Mine.
I am gay, I came out of the closet myself almost 5 years ago and it has not been an easy process at all.
I was in the last years of high school and I was very confused, very terrified by these things that happened to me and I felt and to my own fear of what they would say in my family and above all, to their reaction.
Another thing: I'm not furry but I know a lot of people who are and they made me get closer to their fandom, to which I have a lot of appreciation. And among so many things that I knew about all that, one day, I knew this story.
I was already engaging in reading as never before and this book appeared just. Since I read the synopsis and some things that they told me about him, I started reading it.
And the experience was enormously comprehensive, in all possible aspects.
Love, literally and still love, all the characters. Kory, Samaki, Margo, Nick, the boys and the lady from the Rainbow Center. It was all so, but so ... shocking to me, because I felt as identified with Kory as with any character in life in all the books I read (and I still read, until today and many are missing).
And I feel identified because I went through something very similar (maybe not to the point of throwing me out of the house). My mom found out about my sexuality and practically, I forced myself to repress it, to "stop being that", to renounce myself and it was very horrible moments, I had a very, very bad time, I was practically alone.
But I guess many will know that, in our worst moments, the real people who love us come out. And so it was with some friends at school. But my biggest surprise, the one that made me almost cry with emotion (because before there was a cloudy and sad background story between the two) was the complete acceptance of my younger brother. Yes, he is the only one in my family who loves me as I am and continues to support me in everything, I passed the time.
As you can see, coincidentally (seriously, that's how I tell it), I went through everything regarding my family, besides the support of my current ex-boyfriend, with whom we were 4 years together and was the main support so I could continue here , If I do not doubt it.
This story will not be the best written of the universe, it will not have a huge amplitude like others, but it has so many beautiful things, like the development of its characters, which is the best there is, because it shows us and makes us feel like Kory feels and It is something that I needed a lot. A voice and understand it. Not to mention the history itself and how everything is being a process that advances and is understood.
Maybe yes, I would have liked more development in more characters, but Kory's journey becomes so personal to me, that I have no problems with this.
Even with certain problems that he probably fix in other stories, I give him 5 stars because it seems to me a unique, unforgettable and obligatory reading, whether or not you are furry. Because it shows an experience, a journey of self-discovery, with its fears, limitations that we have.
Above all, with how strong your brand left me. I do this now because a few days ago, this story came back to my head and I read again important parts of the story and I got excited again. And I remembered all the sensations. And I wanted to express what I lived and felt. Thanks Kyell Gold.
A thousand times thanks. Maybe many people marked Out of Position (I'll read it soon, with all its sequels, since now I'm in university mode jejeje) but Waterways marked me like no story I ever did in my life. Thank you.
Read
January 6, 2020As the first furry novel I've read, questions abound that hopefully will be answered over time: how does this fit in in the timeline of lgtb being inserted in the furry canon? When did scify stories and actual animals start to get phased out of the furry awards ceremonies to make room for modern urban stories where furries are just recolored humans who still eat meat? Was Kyell Gold a pioneer? To be seen.
This book is a coming out of the closet story for an otter, Kory, divided in three parts, of which the author graciously explains the symbolism in the foreword: Part 1 is titled Aquifers. "An aquifer is an underground stream, and in “Aquifers,” Kory wrestles mostly with himself. In the second part, “Streams,” his hidden, underground secret has been exposed, leading to repercussions from his family and friends. And as all streams flow to the ocean, so do all of us live in part of a larger society, and as we explore and shape our own identity, we push out against those who share the world we live in. “Oceans,” the last part, chronicles the effect Kory’s decisions have on his world."
If Part 3's description sounds vague, it should be no surprise it's the weakest. Part 1 is about Kory's internal struggle to decide if he's gay and wants to experiment. It ends with Kory having sex with his new boyfriend, Samaki. The sex is used to further the plot... For the last time. From this point on, sex scenes turn into cheap erotica that pop out inappropriately and full of tone deafness, telling us explicitly, by the way, that they have animal sheaths. Charming, full of squirming and coasting on relatability, Part 1 looks retroactively bad when, after coming out, Kory's best friend comes on to him in a scene of sexual violence. Their friendship is ruined, and Kory is horrified. When he tells his boyfriend, he isn't surprised. “I’ve had three of my straight friends try to experiment with me in the last two years. It always ends badly. They think, I don’t know, they think being gay means you’ll do anyone. They think it won’t change anything.” oof. Samaki is describing exactly what Kory did in Part 1--used him to experiment. Of course, Samaki had a crush on him, so it was okay. In fact, Samaki uses the afterglow of their first time to tell Kory they're meant to be lifemates and he was always looking for him subconsciously... Calling out for Samaki in his poems. Not too manipulative.
As others have pointed out, Samaki is not much of a character. He doesn't have friends of his own or hobbies that are displayed--he's a gay symbol, flawless, for Kory to develop with. The story is absurdly stuck in Kory's head. We only get his point of view for everything, and hear all of his whining selfish thoughts, which makes it hard to sympathise, especially as he descends in a spiral of flaws in the subsequent parts.
Part 2 is the coming out, and it's harrowing and with no sugarcoating. Kory loses his house, his mother, his friends, until he has nothing left but Samaki, and his final revelation is that it was all worth it--his entire life, for his first teenage boyfriend that he can't say I love you to. Not too codependant...
A new character is introduced, a goth bat that can't stand living in a center for homeless gay kids, so she goes back to her beating father. After reading the note she left behind, Kory and Samaki get distracted by their boners, so they begin "brushing it" one room away from the homeless kids. "Brushing it" is their codeword for masturbation. It becomes clear it was poorly chosen, though, as "brushing" is used carelessly with many other meanings, like "brushing his tail up along Samaki’s" or "His mother brushed down the fur between his ears."
Part 3, as I understand it, was written exclusively for the novel version, and it's really, really bad. Barely anything happens, it's excessively whiny and dragged out, and it seems to ruin some of the things from previous parts. If Part 2 had been the ending, it would have been amazingly daring, open ended, dark and stimulating. Answering all the questions is just cheap closure.
The main problem in this part is whether Kory can accept being seen in public with Samaki, as he's a more private person, and he declines going to the prom with him, which causes them to almost break up. Not a bad conflict, but they go over the same points endlessly and for weeks as Kory is incapable of deciding anything, except for when he imagined breaking up and was okay with it, the bastard. Other highlights include Kory apologising to his best friend, the one who came on to him, instead of the other way around, and characters from Part 2 never coming back, making their roles essentially filler--speaking of Perry here, an adorable wolf who seemed to have a crush on Kory that went nowhere. This part is just too self indulgent. For example, the corn goes off the charts at christmas:
"Ajani laughed. “I know something about Santa this year.”
Samaki said, “Ajani,” warningly.
“I won’t say it,” Ajani said, but now Mariatu wanted to know.
“What?” she said. “What about Santa?”
Kory thought of one of the stories he’d told Nick. “Ajani knows how Santa gets into houses that don’t have chimneys.”
He saw Mariatu’s eyeshine as her eyes widened. “We don’t have a chimney,” she breathed, as if just realizing it.
Kory told her the story of how Santa learned to walk through Christmas trees, so that as long as you had a Christmas tree, you could count on a visit from Santa. “Because Christmas trees are all connected in the Christmas forest,” he said, “which Santa knows how to get to. So if you don’t have a chimney, Santa will just land on your roof, step into the Christmas forest, and step around your Christmas tree to deliver your presents.”
“Wow,” Mariatu breathed. Kasim and Ajani were also leaning over their beds to watch him. He looked up to see Samaki’s broad smile.
“All right now,” Kory said. “Time to go to bed, or Santa just might pass this house by.”
“He won’t,” Kasim said, but his face slipped back obediently with the others.
Mariatu said, again, “Kory?”
“Shh,” he said. “Go to sleep.”
“I’m happy you’re here,” she said, and her eyes slid shut.
“Me too,” Samaki whispered down to him. Kory blew him another kiss, and closed his eyes."
Jesus. (pardon the blasphemy)
All in all, a good read, if only to debate with your friends.
This book is a coming out of the closet story for an otter, Kory, divided in three parts, of which the author graciously explains the symbolism in the foreword: Part 1 is titled Aquifers. "An aquifer is an underground stream, and in “Aquifers,” Kory wrestles mostly with himself. In the second part, “Streams,” his hidden, underground secret has been exposed, leading to repercussions from his family and friends. And as all streams flow to the ocean, so do all of us live in part of a larger society, and as we explore and shape our own identity, we push out against those who share the world we live in. “Oceans,” the last part, chronicles the effect Kory’s decisions have on his world."
If Part 3's description sounds vague, it should be no surprise it's the weakest. Part 1 is about Kory's internal struggle to decide if he's gay and wants to experiment. It ends with Kory having sex with his new boyfriend, Samaki. The sex is used to further the plot... For the last time. From this point on, sex scenes turn into cheap erotica that pop out inappropriately and full of tone deafness, telling us explicitly, by the way, that they have animal sheaths. Charming, full of squirming and coasting on relatability, Part 1 looks retroactively bad when, after coming out, Kory's best friend comes on to him in a scene of sexual violence. Their friendship is ruined, and Kory is horrified. When he tells his boyfriend, he isn't surprised. “I’ve had three of my straight friends try to experiment with me in the last two years. It always ends badly. They think, I don’t know, they think being gay means you’ll do anyone. They think it won’t change anything.” oof. Samaki is describing exactly what Kory did in Part 1--used him to experiment. Of course, Samaki had a crush on him, so it was okay. In fact, Samaki uses the afterglow of their first time to tell Kory they're meant to be lifemates and he was always looking for him subconsciously... Calling out for Samaki in his poems. Not too manipulative.
As others have pointed out, Samaki is not much of a character. He doesn't have friends of his own or hobbies that are displayed--he's a gay symbol, flawless, for Kory to develop with. The story is absurdly stuck in Kory's head. We only get his point of view for everything, and hear all of his whining selfish thoughts, which makes it hard to sympathise, especially as he descends in a spiral of flaws in the subsequent parts.
Part 2 is the coming out, and it's harrowing and with no sugarcoating. Kory loses his house, his mother, his friends, until he has nothing left but Samaki, and his final revelation is that it was all worth it--his entire life, for his first teenage boyfriend that he can't say I love you to. Not too codependant...
A new character is introduced, a goth bat that can't stand living in a center for homeless gay kids, so she goes back to her beating father. After reading the note she left behind, Kory and Samaki get distracted by their boners, so they begin "brushing it" one room away from the homeless kids. "Brushing it" is their codeword for masturbation. It becomes clear it was poorly chosen, though, as "brushing" is used carelessly with many other meanings, like "brushing his tail up along Samaki’s" or "His mother brushed down the fur between his ears."
Part 3, as I understand it, was written exclusively for the novel version, and it's really, really bad. Barely anything happens, it's excessively whiny and dragged out, and it seems to ruin some of the things from previous parts. If Part 2 had been the ending, it would have been amazingly daring, open ended, dark and stimulating. Answering all the questions is just cheap closure.
The main problem in this part is whether Kory can accept being seen in public with Samaki, as he's a more private person, and he declines going to the prom with him, which causes them to almost break up. Not a bad conflict, but they go over the same points endlessly and for weeks as Kory is incapable of deciding anything, except for when he imagined breaking up and was okay with it, the bastard. Other highlights include Kory apologising to his best friend, the one who came on to him, instead of the other way around, and characters from Part 2 never coming back, making their roles essentially filler--speaking of Perry here, an adorable wolf who seemed to have a crush on Kory that went nowhere. This part is just too self indulgent. For example, the corn goes off the charts at christmas:
"Ajani laughed. “I know something about Santa this year.”
Samaki said, “Ajani,” warningly.
“I won’t say it,” Ajani said, but now Mariatu wanted to know.
“What?” she said. “What about Santa?”
Kory thought of one of the stories he’d told Nick. “Ajani knows how Santa gets into houses that don’t have chimneys.”
He saw Mariatu’s eyeshine as her eyes widened. “We don’t have a chimney,” she breathed, as if just realizing it.
Kory told her the story of how Santa learned to walk through Christmas trees, so that as long as you had a Christmas tree, you could count on a visit from Santa. “Because Christmas trees are all connected in the Christmas forest,” he said, “which Santa knows how to get to. So if you don’t have a chimney, Santa will just land on your roof, step into the Christmas forest, and step around your Christmas tree to deliver your presents.”
“Wow,” Mariatu breathed. Kasim and Ajani were also leaning over their beds to watch him. He looked up to see Samaki’s broad smile.
“All right now,” Kory said. “Time to go to bed, or Santa just might pass this house by.”
“He won’t,” Kasim said, but his face slipped back obediently with the others.
Mariatu said, again, “Kory?”
“Shh,” he said. “Go to sleep.”
“I’m happy you’re here,” she said, and her eyes slid shut.
“Me too,” Samaki whispered down to him. Kory blew him another kiss, and closed his eyes."
Jesus. (pardon the blasphemy)
All in all, a good read, if only to debate with your friends.
September 14, 2019
Ten years ago I came across the second novella, Streams, that would go on to be Waterways. I didn't know anything about it other then it was another Kyell Gold Gay Erotica story and was ready for another sexy fun time. But what I got instead was a story that made me see he hopes, fears, desires, and hate I've been carrying with me for years. To realize that I was Kory and that I was Gay. This book means a lot to me and while in later years I feel I've outgrown the story. It's message still rings true to me. I share more details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh1Jz...
June 1, 2020
great young adult story of finding out who you are.
Yes its a love story, coming out story, but mainly its
finding out who you are and whats important to you.
the world is of different types of animals.
Yes its a love story, coming out story, but mainly its
finding out who you are and whats important to you.
the world is of different types of animals.
May 9, 2025
Alsolute Must-Read.
I don’t ever really write tries for things, but this book made me second guess that. As my first true furry book I’ve read I wasn’t expecting too much, presuming that there being an anthro writer who was truly gripping was unlikely. I red this book in pretty much 3 days, each time only reading it for a few hours at a time, before continuing it a few hours later. It gripped me so much that I found myself physically sighing with relief when I scrolled past an incomplete page and found it was the start of another chapter or segment of the book. The story, characters and plot all gripping. With the romantic moments feeling well paced and genuine while the sexual ones, while far and inbetween, didn’t feel rushed or forced or just to keep you reading, but like they genuinely fitted where they were in the story. The end of the final segment I didn’t find a bit TOO vague however, meaning that I didn’t exactly end the book with a happy tone, more of an anxious and confused one. So, I took a break and decided to make up me own ending+ to give it a happier end. I’ll TLDR it here for anyone else who felt the same; Samaki and Kory talk to eachother outside after the FLAG meeting. Chatting and deciding to talk about the problem. Kory opens up and admits he’s scared, scared of Samaki digging himself a hole he can’t get out of, becoming addicted or losing himself. Samaki offers a compromise. To only engage in it when/if he gets the OK from Kory, or if he’s going to a party, gets Kory’s okay for if he gets the chance at it. The two agree and decide to discuss the finer points later, with them walking away to their room with an arm around eachother, as they walk it is silence for a moment, before Samaki mentions that they still have all they need for some Hot-Chocolates when they get back, they both smile and Kory kisses him on the cheek, saying how he would like that. And the story ends as they walk back to their room together, they lean their heads in eachother, reassured that nothing could pull them apart.
I don’t ever really write tries for things, but this book made me second guess that. As my first true furry book I’ve read I wasn’t expecting too much, presuming that there being an anthro writer who was truly gripping was unlikely. I red this book in pretty much 3 days, each time only reading it for a few hours at a time, before continuing it a few hours later. It gripped me so much that I found myself physically sighing with relief when I scrolled past an incomplete page and found it was the start of another chapter or segment of the book. The story, characters and plot all gripping. With the romantic moments feeling well paced and genuine while the sexual ones, while far and inbetween, didn’t feel rushed or forced or just to keep you reading, but like they genuinely fitted where they were in the story. The end of the final segment I didn’t find a bit TOO vague however, meaning that I didn’t exactly end the book with a happy tone, more of an anxious and confused one. So, I took a break and decided to make up me own ending+ to give it a happier end. I’ll TLDR it here for anyone else who felt the same; Samaki and Kory talk to eachother outside after the FLAG meeting. Chatting and deciding to talk about the problem. Kory opens up and admits he’s scared, scared of Samaki digging himself a hole he can’t get out of, becoming addicted or losing himself. Samaki offers a compromise. To only engage in it when/if he gets the OK from Kory, or if he’s going to a party, gets Kory’s okay for if he gets the chance at it. The two agree and decide to discuss the finer points later, with them walking away to their room with an arm around eachother, as they walk it is silence for a moment, before Samaki mentions that they still have all they need for some Hot-Chocolates when they get back, they both smile and Kory kisses him on the cheek, saying how he would like that. And the story ends as they walk back to their room together, they lean their heads in eachother, reassured that nothing could pull them apart.
November 28, 2017
Review is for the audio version of book.
~~~~~~may contain very very mild spoilers~~~~~~~~~~~"Coming of Age for an otter and a fox."
This was a sweet coming of age story, set in Kyell Gold's oh so very realistic anthropomorphic world. I love Gold's "out of position" series. And while i very much enjoyed this book, I think my empathy toward MC Kory was just mildly tempered by the fact that I am way way beyond my teen years, making it difficult to connect with some aspects of MC Kory's actions and thinking. I loved Sumaki, but found Kory a little too whiney at times, but the realistic scenerios were true to the situations and I think that was more "me than him...lol".
As in all of Kyell Gold's books, I love the way he pulls in aspects of each furry characters animal lifestyle. The way the otter's homes have waterways and pools incorporated into the regular design of the house to accommodate the aquatic animals nature was just awesome.
Descriptions of full body dryers at home and pool for the fully furry, so subtle yet adding such colorful illustration to the story.
This is Kory the otters coming of age story, and it is poignant, pleasurable and sad, told with realistic scenes paralleling young gay teens of today. Some great side characters.
I wish there had been some resolution between Kory and his estrangement of lifelong best friend Sal, but the HEA between him and Sumaki was sweetly satisfying.
The narrator did a good, but not great job. His voice is pleasant and clear, but not a whole lot of distinction between character voices at times.
~~~~~~may contain very very mild spoilers~~~~~~~~~~~"Coming of Age for an otter and a fox."
This was a sweet coming of age story, set in Kyell Gold's oh so very realistic anthropomorphic world. I love Gold's "out of position" series. And while i very much enjoyed this book, I think my empathy toward MC Kory was just mildly tempered by the fact that I am way way beyond my teen years, making it difficult to connect with some aspects of MC Kory's actions and thinking. I loved Sumaki, but found Kory a little too whiney at times, but the realistic scenerios were true to the situations and I think that was more "me than him...lol".
As in all of Kyell Gold's books, I love the way he pulls in aspects of each furry characters animal lifestyle. The way the otter's homes have waterways and pools incorporated into the regular design of the house to accommodate the aquatic animals nature was just awesome.
Descriptions of full body dryers at home and pool for the fully furry, so subtle yet adding such colorful illustration to the story.
This is Kory the otters coming of age story, and it is poignant, pleasurable and sad, told with realistic scenes paralleling young gay teens of today. Some great side characters.
I wish there had been some resolution between Kory and his estrangement of lifelong best friend Sal, but the HEA between him and Sumaki was sweetly satisfying.
The narrator did a good, but not great job. His voice is pleasant and clear, but not a whole lot of distinction between character voices at times.
April 8, 2021
Este libro es una joyita que todos deben apreciar.
Con un estilo narrativo súper ágil, Gold nos muestra la historia de un amor que parece imposible y del descubrimiento de la sexualidad.
Es un viaje a todas las dudas que uno tiene cuando no acepta su sexualidad y el proceso que conlleva aceptarla. Un viaje que además en la primera mitad del libro es bastante realista, con situaciones con las cuales la mayoría de jóvenes LGBT nos podemos identificar, desde dudas por un enamoramiento, excitación sexual o superar la discriminación diaria.
Un tema que aprecio que se tocara en esta novela es la religión, cosa que no suele pasar en películas y series furry. Se puede ver Kyell Gold entiende el impacto que la religión tiene en la vida de las personas y cómo a partir de ahí se puede estar a favor o en contra de lo que antes era tabú y ahora no. En ese sentido, la novela nos muestra at través de dos personajes los dos lados de la moneda: cómo el cristianismo separa familias por ideas retrógradas (Mamá de Kory) y cómo el cristianismo puede ayudar a un individuo a comprenderse a sí mismo (Padre Joe).
Casi todos los personajes son simpáticos desde las primeras páginas: Kory, Nick, Samaki, etc. (Mi favorito es Samaki, por su enorme optimismo, su forma de disfrutar la vida, su maravillosa familia y cómo lidia con los obstáculos).
Con un estilo narrativo súper ágil, Gold nos muestra la historia de un amor que parece imposible y del descubrimiento de la sexualidad.
Es un viaje a todas las dudas que uno tiene cuando no acepta su sexualidad y el proceso que conlleva aceptarla. Un viaje que además en la primera mitad del libro es bastante realista, con situaciones con las cuales la mayoría de jóvenes LGBT nos podemos identificar, desde dudas por un enamoramiento, excitación sexual o superar la discriminación diaria.
Un tema que aprecio que se tocara en esta novela es la religión, cosa que no suele pasar en películas y series furry. Se puede ver Kyell Gold entiende el impacto que la religión tiene en la vida de las personas y cómo a partir de ahí se puede estar a favor o en contra de lo que antes era tabú y ahora no. En ese sentido, la novela nos muestra at través de dos personajes los dos lados de la moneda: cómo el cristianismo separa familias por ideas retrógradas (Mamá de Kory) y cómo el cristianismo puede ayudar a un individuo a comprenderse a sí mismo (Padre Joe).
Casi todos los personajes son simpáticos desde las primeras páginas: Kory, Nick, Samaki, etc. (Mi favorito es Samaki, por su enorme optimismo, su forma de disfrutar la vida, su maravillosa familia y cómo lidia con los obstáculos).
May 1, 2025
One disclaimer:
I don't often engage with queer media for a variety of reasons not meant for this review.
So, I don't really know if this book is too trope-y or too cliche. It certainly somewhat feels so, though, and yet, that's okay.
I am, though, queer as hell.
There's a saying I really like that goes
"Most queer people just want a chance at a normal life"
A normal life, in this context, means a life in which being in love isn't something you have to explain. One in which Christmas dinners include your partner because they're family. And things like that.
This book is old, and things have certainly gotten better since then, at least for a lot of people, but
The feelings
This book touches on
The dance
that characters dance
around subjects that are as old as Shakespeare
It's still the dance of today.
And it gets ugly sometimes, and, as fiction does
it gets really pretty, too,
Which is why fiction is so beautiful
We need some pretty moments in our lives.
And, I guess, we, the gays, will continue living in Romeo and Juliet for a while
But (and spoilers for Romeo and Juliet... just, in case?)
At least we can write stories in which they don't kill themselves at the end.
I don't often engage with queer media for a variety of reasons not meant for this review.
So, I don't really know if this book is too trope-y or too cliche. It certainly somewhat feels so, though, and yet, that's okay.
I am, though, queer as hell.
There's a saying I really like that goes
"Most queer people just want a chance at a normal life"
A normal life, in this context, means a life in which being in love isn't something you have to explain. One in which Christmas dinners include your partner because they're family. And things like that.
This book is old, and things have certainly gotten better since then, at least for a lot of people, but
The feelings
This book touches on
The dance
that characters dance
around subjects that are as old as Shakespeare
It's still the dance of today.
And it gets ugly sometimes, and, as fiction does
it gets really pretty, too,
Which is why fiction is so beautiful
We need some pretty moments in our lives.
And, I guess, we, the gays, will continue living in Romeo and Juliet for a while
But (and spoilers for Romeo and Juliet... just, in case?)
At least we can write stories in which they don't kill themselves at the end.
April 29, 2022
Full disclosure: I have bought multiple copies of this book in multiple formats since (((age redacted to protect myself from feeling old))). It is still the book I wish I had in 1997. I don't care what library or shop you keep: if you want a story that feels authentically queer, has friendly animals, and deals with very real conflicts between family (as broadly constructed as possible) and faith: this is amazing.
Yes, it is a coming out book and I'm sure some people will find that "boring": I didn't when I first read it. I don't think it's stale in 2022. M. Gold may be more famous in literary circles for later works that won more prestigious awards, but honestly: this was the one that convinced me that I didn't have to "hide" all of my funny animal novel ideas because they came out wrong in English.
Yes, it is a coming out book and I'm sure some people will find that "boring": I didn't when I first read it. I don't think it's stale in 2022. M. Gold may be more famous in literary circles for later works that won more prestigious awards, but honestly: this was the one that convinced me that I didn't have to "hide" all of my funny animal novel ideas because they came out wrong in English.
March 10, 2024
Furry MM romance
4 stars!
This story was well written and focuses on a high school senior named Kory who has a very religious mother and is starting to think he might not be so straight after all. Tale as old as time, she doesn't like Kory's choices and chooses to kick him out. That was the worst part for me. Not because it's poorly written but more because I just didn't want that for him...for anyone. I was finding every excuse not to read it because I didn't want to face that feeling.
This story had an ending, it was bitter sweet because a lot of bad happened but in the end love prevailed. It was a happy ending in that regard, and frankly getting rid of toxic family is also a happy ending! Kory is out here living his best life now so take that Kory's mom!
4 stars!
This story was well written and focuses on a high school senior named Kory who has a very religious mother and is starting to think he might not be so straight after all. Tale as old as time, she doesn't like Kory's choices and chooses to kick him out. That was the worst part for me. Not because it's poorly written but more because I just didn't want that for him...for anyone. I was finding every excuse not to read it because I didn't want to face that feeling.
This story had an ending, it was bitter sweet because a lot of bad happened but in the end love prevailed. It was a happy ending in that regard, and frankly getting rid of toxic family is also a happy ending! Kory is out here living his best life now so take that Kory's mom!
April 23, 2021
Reading this book made me nauseous and stressed (the good kind?). However, I was unable to put it down, during my math midterm... Was it worth that? Probably not. I looked closely at the cover only after I had finished reading the book, and the characters do not appear how I had imagined. I pictured characters that were much more animal a la Zootopia, but perhaps that movie has corrupted my expectations of anthropomorphism.
Lastly, there were continual typos that annoyed me.
This review here helped solidify my thoughts and bring down my overall rating.
Lastly, there were continual typos that annoyed me.
This review here helped solidify my thoughts and bring down my overall rating.
April 18, 2020
There are so many things to love about this story. I adored the "Orwell Act" as an equal-access law, tweaked movie star names, different architecture for different species, a discussion of C. S. Lewis -- I know there were other things I loved about it, but I just stayed up all night reading it, and I can't think now. Trust me. So so good. Completely worth losing sleep to finish it.
March 13, 2020
The book was especially fun to read because I was reading it almost fourteen years after it was published. The world presented within shows a stark discrepancy between then and now which serves as a presentation of how almost every fields of our lives have changed considerably.
March 3, 2021
Quite honestly this book, while chock-full of stereotypes, captures the struggle that many teens face when coming to grip with their sexuality. It is deeply moving at times with kory's emotions very clearly expressed with lines practically dripping with pathos. Great job!
June 5, 2019
This was a wild ride of emotion that I felt really grasped the internal struggle of coming to terms with new aspects of yourself.
gave-up-on
November 23, 2021I have his other books but was surprised with this one. It was more YA than anything else. Couldn't listen anymore after an hour. Unrated since I didn't finish.
January 25, 2023
This book gave me extreme happiness although it was a bit sexual (to be expected) I definitely recommend to older furries or people who enjoy a good romance. Another good novel by kyell gold.
May 11, 2024
Sooooo boring
February 20, 2025
I feel like this rating is more based on what I remember from the time period when it was written. For a book from the late 2000’s I say this is a good enough coming out story. For the current year though, it doesn’t really stand out from all the other ones that exist.
February 28, 2019
Don't get me wrong, this book is great, as you can probably tell from the rest of the reviews. The insight into the MC's mind is detailed and engaging, with situations that feel ripped out right out of real life and put into words with anthro characters in the mix.
The last third of the book, though, is heart wrenching and, to my tastes, leaves some points unresolved. But perhaps thats life as a gay teen. I'd liked it to be a little longer just to flesh out the events and properly conclude them, even if Kory (the main character) grew a lot during my read. First two parts are perfect, specially Aquifers.
The last third of the book, though, is heart wrenching and, to my tastes, leaves some points unresolved. But perhaps thats life as a gay teen. I'd liked it to be a little longer just to flesh out the events and properly conclude them, even if Kory (the main character) grew a lot during my read. First two parts are perfect, specially Aquifers.
August 25, 2013
Waterways was not my idea of a great work, specifically because I grow tired of reading about high school romances, and gay-themed romances are no different. However, as I read through Waterways I grew to enjoy the characters, and it struck me that this was less a high school fiction and more of a drama that happened to include teenagers. We see Kory make mistakes, and we see him eventually learn from them and grow accordingly. By the end, Kory is not perfect, and neither are other characters like Samaki or Malaya. Everybody has their flaws, everybody remains a character and, with the exception of Nick, never steps a toe into that horrid perfection of an ideal. The characters are, in short, people. It's rare to find an author in today's day and age that treats their characters like people, and not as a form of ideal, so it was invigorating for me to read through this and follow Kory's journey through such a critical stage of his life.
There is a subtle difference between this story and other gay themed ones, but it is a very important one: the story is about love, not being gay. Much like how the characters are still people, but with fur and tails and whiskers and so on and so forth, the story is about love, but centering around the love between two boys as opposed to a boy and a girl. Kyell Gold does not slap us in the face with the LGBT themes of the book; they are obvious, but never flaming, never in-your-face. Again, it is refreshing to read something like this. Too often are the story or characters sacrificed in the name of themes and messages, but Kyell writes both without pushing the very important message in our face: that, in my interpretation, it doesn't matter who you love, as long as you love, and he uses both the characters and the story to accomplish this beautifully.
The drama is, sadly, very real, especially between Kory and his mother. Too many people, young and old, are faced with problems such as this with their families. While I do believe there was a bit too much emphasis on some parts, it does not take away from the realism of the situations. What Kory goes through is powerful and, I should hope for others as well as myself, thought-provoking.
By the end of the book, my preconceptions had been all but erased by Kyell's masterful story-telling and strongly-written characters. I fell in love with his characters, even finding myself invested in Kory, having similar dispositions, and I felt my heart both rejoicing and breaking through the whole book. Waterways is not Kyell's best work - at this point I would give that honour to Divisions - but it is a powerful piece and more than worth a read. If you like romance, even if you aren't a furry, I believe you will enjoy this book. Easily a five out of five. Happy reading!
There is a subtle difference between this story and other gay themed ones, but it is a very important one: the story is about love, not being gay. Much like how the characters are still people, but with fur and tails and whiskers and so on and so forth, the story is about love, but centering around the love between two boys as opposed to a boy and a girl. Kyell Gold does not slap us in the face with the LGBT themes of the book; they are obvious, but never flaming, never in-your-face. Again, it is refreshing to read something like this. Too often are the story or characters sacrificed in the name of themes and messages, but Kyell writes both without pushing the very important message in our face: that, in my interpretation, it doesn't matter who you love, as long as you love, and he uses both the characters and the story to accomplish this beautifully.
The drama is, sadly, very real, especially between Kory and his mother. Too many people, young and old, are faced with problems such as this with their families. While I do believe there was a bit too much emphasis on some parts, it does not take away from the realism of the situations. What Kory goes through is powerful and, I should hope for others as well as myself, thought-provoking.
By the end of the book, my preconceptions had been all but erased by Kyell's masterful story-telling and strongly-written characters. I fell in love with his characters, even finding myself invested in Kory, having similar dispositions, and I felt my heart both rejoicing and breaking through the whole book. Waterways is not Kyell's best work - at this point I would give that honour to Divisions - but it is a powerful piece and more than worth a read. If you like romance, even if you aren't a furry, I believe you will enjoy this book. Easily a five out of five. Happy reading!
December 26, 2015
In principio ho iniziato a leggere Gold Standard, una collezione di racconti di Kyell Gold, molti dei quali son poi diventati romanzi veri e propri.
Volevo un testo in leggero in inglese per migliorare le mie competenze linguistiche.
Finito il primo racconto, Aquifers, ho deciso che sarebbe valsa la pena di interrompere con la raccolta e proseguire con il romanzo completo: Waterways.
Devo dire di non essermi pentito della scelta.
Trovo che, a 25 anni, le tematiche trattate nel libro siano relativamente superate e banali: si parla della scoperta della propria sessualità durante l'adolescenza, e dei problemi e delle difficoltà che può comportare esternarla.
Malgrado questo, l'autore è stato capace di costruire una trama molto intrigante e di portare agli occhi del lettore uno scenario che, sebbene sia estremizzato in alcune sue parti, è decisamente tangibile.
Waterways è suddiviso in tre macro-capitoli: Aquifers, Streams, Oceans. Tutti seguono il filo della stessa storia, riprendendo ognuno da dove il precedente è finito - e qui mi pare doveroso riportare quella che secondo me è l'unica vera "pecca" del racconto.
Probabilmente è soltanto una mia impressione, ma ogni volta che finiva una delle parti sembrava mancasse un poco di continuità tra le stesse. Niente di troppo fastidioso comunque. Potrebbe semplicemente essere dovuto al fatto che non tutto il romanzo è stato scritto nello stesso periodo.
Durante la lettura sono stato letteralmente (no pun intended) colpito da una serie di emozioni contrapposte e vivaci. Forse in quel periodo avevo semplicemente gli ormoni a mille, ma la storia è stata capace di farmi ridere di felicità, di angosciarmi, di farmi preoccupare o rilassare a seconda delle situazioni in cui i protagonisti si son ritrovati, e questo vale gran parte del mio giudizio positivo.
La storia si sviluppa nell'era contemporanea, e son quindi presenti anche moltissimi stereotipi di persone tutt'oggi ancora validi, e devo dire anche molto divertenti.
Dimenticavo: i personaggi son tutti antropomorfi e, sebbene in un testo così breve non sia possibile dedicare uno spazio eccessivo ai dettagli, l'autore riesce comunque a rendere il tutto credibile, plasmandone i comportamenti e le attitudini anche in base - ad esempio - alla loro specie.
OVVIAMENTE TUTTI STANNO ALLA LARGA DALLE PUZZOLE.
Ci sarebbe ancora molto da dire, ma in primis non voglio fare spoilers, e in secundis (???) sono le 8.56 e non ho dormito un cazzo, quindi lascio a voi la eventuale piacevole lettura del romanzo.
Volevo un testo in leggero in inglese per migliorare le mie competenze linguistiche.
Finito il primo racconto, Aquifers, ho deciso che sarebbe valsa la pena di interrompere con la raccolta e proseguire con il romanzo completo: Waterways.
Devo dire di non essermi pentito della scelta.
Trovo che, a 25 anni, le tematiche trattate nel libro siano relativamente superate e banali: si parla della scoperta della propria sessualità durante l'adolescenza, e dei problemi e delle difficoltà che può comportare esternarla.
Malgrado questo, l'autore è stato capace di costruire una trama molto intrigante e di portare agli occhi del lettore uno scenario che, sebbene sia estremizzato in alcune sue parti, è decisamente tangibile.
Waterways è suddiviso in tre macro-capitoli: Aquifers, Streams, Oceans. Tutti seguono il filo della stessa storia, riprendendo ognuno da dove il precedente è finito - e qui mi pare doveroso riportare quella che secondo me è l'unica vera "pecca" del racconto.
Probabilmente è soltanto una mia impressione, ma ogni volta che finiva una delle parti sembrava mancasse un poco di continuità tra le stesse. Niente di troppo fastidioso comunque. Potrebbe semplicemente essere dovuto al fatto che non tutto il romanzo è stato scritto nello stesso periodo.
Durante la lettura sono stato letteralmente (no pun intended) colpito da una serie di emozioni contrapposte e vivaci. Forse in quel periodo avevo semplicemente gli ormoni a mille, ma la storia è stata capace di farmi ridere di felicità, di angosciarmi, di farmi preoccupare o rilassare a seconda delle situazioni in cui i protagonisti si son ritrovati, e questo vale gran parte del mio giudizio positivo.
La storia si sviluppa nell'era contemporanea, e son quindi presenti anche moltissimi stereotipi di persone tutt'oggi ancora validi, e devo dire anche molto divertenti.
Dimenticavo: i personaggi son tutti antropomorfi e, sebbene in un testo così breve non sia possibile dedicare uno spazio eccessivo ai dettagli, l'autore riesce comunque a rendere il tutto credibile, plasmandone i comportamenti e le attitudini anche in base - ad esempio - alla loro specie.
OVVIAMENTE TUTTI STANNO ALLA LARGA DALLE PUZZOLE.
Ci sarebbe ancora molto da dire, ma in primis non voglio fare spoilers, e in secundis (???) sono le 8.56 e non ho dormito un cazzo, quindi lascio a voi la eventuale piacevole lettura del romanzo.
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