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The Time He Desires
After thirty years, Aziz’s marriage now consists mostly of arguing about whether to sell their store to a developer. His wife has a social life, interests and plans for the future, but the pawnshop is Aziz’s connection to his community. And then one day a desperate fox rushes into the shop looking for the honeymoon tape his husband sold. Seizing on this chance to make a difference, the cheetah steps up to help save their crumbling marriage. A gay couple might not show him the way to a new life, but he’s running out of ways to save his old one.
140 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2016
12 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Kyell Gold
66 books632 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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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 20, 2017
When you talk about furry literature, Kyell Gold is a name that pops up almost instantaneously, like Stephen King would for horror literature. So it made sense for me to pick up a few of his titles, and they've always been hit or miss for me. Gold is a talented writer, but there have been a couple titles leaving me unsatisfied at the end. That didn't happen with this one. the Time He Desires is a phenomenal read, and probably one of the more important pieces of literature to pay attention to.
May 24, 2017
They say a mark of a great writer is being able to move outside of your comfort zone. Kyell has certainly done that with this book, and in my opinion he has aced it.
Sure, I'm not a representative reader for the main character's Muslim faith, but it appeared that everything was handled tactfully and respectfully, and gave a fascinating insight into the religion as a whole.
Kyell's usual excellence certainly shone through, even if the themes are somewhat different to his usual fare.
Sure, I'm not a representative reader for the main character's Muslim faith, but it appeared that everything was handled tactfully and respectfully, and gave a fascinating insight into the religion as a whole.
Kyell's usual excellence certainly shone through, even if the themes are somewhat different to his usual fare.
Read
January 11, 2017Definitely one of the best stories Kyell Gold has written. And that without even one sex scene.
January 29, 2020
This was a fantastic book.
I’d tried reading Kyell Gold before to mixed reactions. I like his style. I like his worlds. Surprisingly, I even liked that description of football in Out of Position. But there’s always something that leads me to not finish any of his books. So, The Time He Desires might be the first longer Kyell Gold work that I actually completed.
The theme of gentrification is pervasive throughout the story, but what slowly becomes apparent is that gentrification is a vehicle for the plot rather than a meaningful plot point in and of itself. It is a slowly twisting screw or tightening vise grip providing tension and pressure for characters to act and change amidst a creeping sense of desperation and loss. However, ultimately the process of gentrification is unavoidable, and the story that we are told despite that inevitability is a beautiful exploration of identity and the baggage we carry.
Aziz, the main character, is a middle-aged Muslim pawnshop owner who has a troubled relationship with his own past, not the least of which being an estranged relationship with his gay son. He gets by from day to day in a comfortable routine, but the looming loss of his shop has begun to throw his world and identity into confusion.
Amidst the slow-crumbling ruins of Aziz’s life, he is confronted by a homosexual couple -one searching desperately to recover a lost recording of their early marriage, the other seemingly lost in his own life. In trying to understand the pair, Aziz is looking to repair the cracks in his own world, but only manages to find more chaos and uncertainty.
One of the things I love the most about this story is the constant theme of change. Everything changes. The mega corporations come in to change the neighborhood to be more middle/upper-middle class-friendly. Happy people become sad and desperate over time. Whole chapters of our lives come to an end, but we can also change for the better. The past doesn’t need to define our present if we don’t want it to. We can choose to be different in the future without invalidating our past. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, and closing a period of our lives isn’t an admission of regret
I think what this book calls us to is a sense of connection to other people through the shared and universal experience of chaos and change. We all change in different ways and at different rates, but that doesn’t make any one person less valued or invalidate their experiences. Everyone has baggage, and everyone experiences problems in their lives or relationships. Other people are living full and complex lives, and that should give us pause when we feel the need to judge someone based on a larger group -especially in terms of race, age, sexuality, or gender.
The sensory detail in this story is a fantastic integration of perception and emotion. One of the things I love about anthropomorphic literature is how authors are given more tools to express how characters experience emotions. The curious tilt of an ear, the excited swish of a tail, the slow anxious coil of a tail around the leg of a chair -the detail to which Kyell Gold expresses these emotional indicators is beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable.
I think my biggest complaint with the story is the final chapter or two. In general I felt that the pacing of the story was initially very appropriate. At the beginning, we were witnessing events more or less in real time. This pacing allowed for plenty of room to simply feel and digest the creeping sense of loss and internalized discomfort that Aziz was experiencing. I have fallen in love with the opening of this story and it’s first few chapters over and over again. However, what disappoints me is how gradually this intimate and disquieting slowness unravels into something too fast and too clean.
Personally, I loved Aziz’s talks with his wife and Gerald and the leader of the support group. I adored watching Aziz unpack his past actions and beliefs in order to pick out the tangles he’s currently experiencing in his faith, culture, and identity. However, the story takes purposeful leaps towards it’s conclusion, and I understand why. Skipping ahead in time allows Aziz more time to consider his new paradigm before acting upon it -meaning that we are now entitled to seeing his decisions play out.
That said, the thing I was struck with regarding the fallout was just how clean it all was. Aziz is broken up, but we don’t really see him honestly grappling with the emotions of everything being so final. His relationships and business ventures simply end, and as a result of the final chapters’ tenuous relationship with time, the reader is immediately thrust a year or so into the future where everything is magically ok, more or less. Aziz has a new hobby and a new business -neither of which he’d previously expressed an interest in. He’s reconciled with a friend whose relationship turned antagonistic as a result of Aziz’s prior inaction. And despite the flashforward, we don’t get talks with any of Aziz’s family or old friends about his identity -rendering the two parts of his life somewhat distinct and separate, which I find disappointing for a resolution. And I’m actually really disappointed that we don’t find out how Gerald and Ben turned out.
There are many pitfalls this ending could have stumbled into. I cringed thinking about anyone that Aziz might have ended up with. Mercifully none of that happened, but at the same time there were no immediate antagonists in Aziz’s life. Sure, the encroaching gentrification and erasure of the neighborhood serves as an antagonistic force, but ultimately the role this plays in the plot is one of vehicle; it is a point of tension and pressure to move, but not something that actively challenges the larger issue of Aziz’s identity or relationships.
The story repeats over and over again about how some things are worth leaving in the past while others merit bringing with us into the future, but the tone of the final chapter especially is that Aziz hasn’t actually lost much from his immediate past. Outside of definitions and the familiar trappings of routine, Aziz’s life is largely the same. I very VERY much appreciate that Aziz didn’t feel the need to give up his religion because it is also a part of his identity, but even with regards to his religion, most of the tension (very serious tension) comes from a world and a lifetime away. In the present, everyone (religious or otherwise) is absurdly supportive to the point of almost being unrealistic.
In the beginning, Aziz was on his own struggling with everything going on and trying to find his way. But by the end so many people were reaching out their hands to guide him through the final stages of his development -leaving his story feeling like it was set on rails to a fixed and fast conclusion.
Overall, this was a fantastic story. I got a lot out of it, and enjoyed the experience a lot. Any problems I had with this book are ultimately negligible by virtue of how short the story actually is. So, it gets a definite recommendation from me.
I’d tried reading Kyell Gold before to mixed reactions. I like his style. I like his worlds. Surprisingly, I even liked that description of football in Out of Position. But there’s always something that leads me to not finish any of his books. So, The Time He Desires might be the first longer Kyell Gold work that I actually completed.
The theme of gentrification is pervasive throughout the story, but what slowly becomes apparent is that gentrification is a vehicle for the plot rather than a meaningful plot point in and of itself. It is a slowly twisting screw or tightening vise grip providing tension and pressure for characters to act and change amidst a creeping sense of desperation and loss. However, ultimately the process of gentrification is unavoidable, and the story that we are told despite that inevitability is a beautiful exploration of identity and the baggage we carry.
Aziz, the main character, is a middle-aged Muslim pawnshop owner who has a troubled relationship with his own past, not the least of which being an estranged relationship with his gay son. He gets by from day to day in a comfortable routine, but the looming loss of his shop has begun to throw his world and identity into confusion.
Amidst the slow-crumbling ruins of Aziz’s life, he is confronted by a homosexual couple -one searching desperately to recover a lost recording of their early marriage, the other seemingly lost in his own life. In trying to understand the pair, Aziz is looking to repair the cracks in his own world, but only manages to find more chaos and uncertainty.
One of the things I love the most about this story is the constant theme of change. Everything changes. The mega corporations come in to change the neighborhood to be more middle/upper-middle class-friendly. Happy people become sad and desperate over time. Whole chapters of our lives come to an end, but we can also change for the better. The past doesn’t need to define our present if we don’t want it to. We can choose to be different in the future without invalidating our past. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, and closing a period of our lives isn’t an admission of regret
I think what this book calls us to is a sense of connection to other people through the shared and universal experience of chaos and change. We all change in different ways and at different rates, but that doesn’t make any one person less valued or invalidate their experiences. Everyone has baggage, and everyone experiences problems in their lives or relationships. Other people are living full and complex lives, and that should give us pause when we feel the need to judge someone based on a larger group -especially in terms of race, age, sexuality, or gender.
The sensory detail in this story is a fantastic integration of perception and emotion. One of the things I love about anthropomorphic literature is how authors are given more tools to express how characters experience emotions. The curious tilt of an ear, the excited swish of a tail, the slow anxious coil of a tail around the leg of a chair -the detail to which Kyell Gold expresses these emotional indicators is beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable.
I think my biggest complaint with the story is the final chapter or two. In general I felt that the pacing of the story was initially very appropriate. At the beginning, we were witnessing events more or less in real time. This pacing allowed for plenty of room to simply feel and digest the creeping sense of loss and internalized discomfort that Aziz was experiencing. I have fallen in love with the opening of this story and it’s first few chapters over and over again. However, what disappoints me is how gradually this intimate and disquieting slowness unravels into something too fast and too clean.
Personally, I loved Aziz’s talks with his wife and Gerald and the leader of the support group. I adored watching Aziz unpack his past actions and beliefs in order to pick out the tangles he’s currently experiencing in his faith, culture, and identity. However, the story takes purposeful leaps towards it’s conclusion, and I understand why. Skipping ahead in time allows Aziz more time to consider his new paradigm before acting upon it -meaning that we are now entitled to seeing his decisions play out.
That said, the thing I was struck with regarding the fallout was just how clean it all was. Aziz is broken up, but we don’t really see him honestly grappling with the emotions of everything being so final. His relationships and business ventures simply end, and as a result of the final chapters’ tenuous relationship with time, the reader is immediately thrust a year or so into the future where everything is magically ok, more or less. Aziz has a new hobby and a new business -neither of which he’d previously expressed an interest in. He’s reconciled with a friend whose relationship turned antagonistic as a result of Aziz’s prior inaction. And despite the flashforward, we don’t get talks with any of Aziz’s family or old friends about his identity -rendering the two parts of his life somewhat distinct and separate, which I find disappointing for a resolution. And I’m actually really disappointed that we don’t find out how Gerald and Ben turned out.
There are many pitfalls this ending could have stumbled into. I cringed thinking about anyone that Aziz might have ended up with. Mercifully none of that happened, but at the same time there were no immediate antagonists in Aziz’s life. Sure, the encroaching gentrification and erasure of the neighborhood serves as an antagonistic force, but ultimately the role this plays in the plot is one of vehicle; it is a point of tension and pressure to move, but not something that actively challenges the larger issue of Aziz’s identity or relationships.
The story repeats over and over again about how some things are worth leaving in the past while others merit bringing with us into the future, but the tone of the final chapter especially is that Aziz hasn’t actually lost much from his immediate past. Outside of definitions and the familiar trappings of routine, Aziz’s life is largely the same. I very VERY much appreciate that Aziz didn’t feel the need to give up his religion because it is also a part of his identity, but even with regards to his religion, most of the tension (very serious tension) comes from a world and a lifetime away. In the present, everyone (religious or otherwise) is absurdly supportive to the point of almost being unrealistic.
In the beginning, Aziz was on his own struggling with everything going on and trying to find his way. But by the end so many people were reaching out their hands to guide him through the final stages of his development -leaving his story feeling like it was set on rails to a fixed and fast conclusion.
Overall, this was a fantastic story. I got a lot out of it, and enjoyed the experience a lot. Any problems I had with this book are ultimately negligible by virtue of how short the story actually is. So, it gets a definite recommendation from me.
December 9, 2025
what a book, it really really affected me, its depth and its ideas about relationships, how we change and can't help it, how we can fight and try our best, and how we can sometimes drift apart and it can be good, they were all really really intricate, such a complicated sort of joy to read. hit me right where it mattered and touched me. absolutely stunning book. makes me wanna read more queer muslim lit.
October 31, 2025
3.5
Pretty surprising read actually. Dealt with heavy themes like religion and homophobia, but found a way to weave it into a story about self-acceptance, and finding yourself. The fact that the characters were anthropomorphic animals did not distract or deter the story in any way. It was a fairly short read too.
Pretty surprising read actually. Dealt with heavy themes like religion and homophobia, but found a way to weave it into a story about self-acceptance, and finding yourself. The fact that the characters were anthropomorphic animals did not distract or deter the story in any way. It was a fairly short read too.
July 20, 2025
I remember I came across this book searching for something else. I don’t remember what, most likely it was me attempting to add more breadth to my writings wanting to do the best I can to open minds with my work. And somehow I came across this story, or rather an article about it, talking about how it exposed furry readers to Islam. Wanting to do exactly that, I picked it up.
I am not a religious person nor have I ever been, but I do respect those for whom it has meaning and I do believe in a greater being and hope for something after this life, so perhaps it would be better to say that I have never found benefit in organized religion. But that being said, I wanted to learn about this other religion and the people who follow it, and it was a furry story written by a great author to boot, so in I went.
The story follows Aziz, a supporting character from one of Kyell’s other novels, who runs a small pawn shop in Upper Devos. Married but with a shaky relationship with his wife and none with his gay son, he debates the gentrification of his neighborhood. Overall, I liked Aziz. He was a highly relatable character and as the author states this book is not intended to be a primer to Islam or to teach anyone about Islamic culture but rather as the lens through which he forms his attitudes and opinions. Nevertheless, I had not had any exposure to Islamic stories or protagonists and I wanted to change that.
Over the course of the story Aziz meets a gay couple having troubles when a fox comes in looking for the honeymoon video his partner sold when he parted with the camcorder, and in trying to find it Aziz ponders his relationship with his wife and son.
As always, Kyell expertly navigates a story with complex themes and characters, and manages to make the world feel lived in and complete. Aziz’s troubles and relationships with those around him form the core of this story, and it is an expertly done tale at novella length, and I would be delighted to read more stories about him and people like him.
Whether or not it was his intention, he did a wonderful job of opening my eyes to something new, and I hope to see more from this character in the future.
I am not a religious person nor have I ever been, but I do respect those for whom it has meaning and I do believe in a greater being and hope for something after this life, so perhaps it would be better to say that I have never found benefit in organized religion. But that being said, I wanted to learn about this other religion and the people who follow it, and it was a furry story written by a great author to boot, so in I went.
The story follows Aziz, a supporting character from one of Kyell’s other novels, who runs a small pawn shop in Upper Devos. Married but with a shaky relationship with his wife and none with his gay son, he debates the gentrification of his neighborhood. Overall, I liked Aziz. He was a highly relatable character and as the author states this book is not intended to be a primer to Islam or to teach anyone about Islamic culture but rather as the lens through which he forms his attitudes and opinions. Nevertheless, I had not had any exposure to Islamic stories or protagonists and I wanted to change that.
Over the course of the story Aziz meets a gay couple having troubles when a fox comes in looking for the honeymoon video his partner sold when he parted with the camcorder, and in trying to find it Aziz ponders his relationship with his wife and son.
As always, Kyell expertly navigates a story with complex themes and characters, and manages to make the world feel lived in and complete. Aziz’s troubles and relationships with those around him form the core of this story, and it is an expertly done tale at novella length, and I would be delighted to read more stories about him and people like him.
Whether or not it was his intention, he did a wonderful job of opening my eyes to something new, and I hope to see more from this character in the future.
December 20, 2017
After a several months long exodus from everything “furry”/anthropomorphic, I returned to the writings of one Kyell Gold. A novella focused on a man (ahem, CHEETAH…) struggling with understanding homosexuality as a devout Sunni Muslim in a place similar (OK, the EXACT SAME) to America.
Well, you’re probably all wondering if I enjoyed it.
To an extent, yes. The struggle with his son and his past is very realistic and it’s something an immigrant from a war torn country can very much relate to.
But, as in Gold’s last work I had read (the purple, but ultimately creative “Black Angel”), the fact that the characters were animal-people and not actual humans still ended up weirding me out a little bit.
So, why did I still give this three stars?
Simple: the themes it touches upon are welcome in a time where racial, sexual and religious minorities are being oppressed by far right-wing governments.
So I recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about Muslims in the LGBT spectrum that can also have an open mind towards reading about non-human characters, especially when they mention adult subject matter (which I, personally, find weird, but hey, I gave it another try, right?).
Well, you’re probably all wondering if I enjoyed it.
To an extent, yes. The struggle with his son and his past is very realistic and it’s something an immigrant from a war torn country can very much relate to.
But, as in Gold’s last work I had read (the purple, but ultimately creative “Black Angel”), the fact that the characters were animal-people and not actual humans still ended up weirding me out a little bit.
So, why did I still give this three stars?
Simple: the themes it touches upon are welcome in a time where racial, sexual and religious minorities are being oppressed by far right-wing governments.
So I recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about Muslims in the LGBT spectrum that can also have an open mind towards reading about non-human characters, especially when they mention adult subject matter (which I, personally, find weird, but hey, I gave it another try, right?).
September 5, 2025
This book was really, really good. So well worth the time, and it's not even all that long.
Put as simply as possible, this book is about change. The fear, uncertainty, and confrontation of self that comes with it.
And genuinely, it was so fun to read. The characters felt natural, well fleshed out in this Alter-Earth world. I was invested in pretty much all of them, as each felt incredibly real despite possibly not having a lot of screen time.
I found myself deeply in the same shoes as Aziz, even though his homophobia is not something I agree with, I did grow up religious and his viewpoint, and the trauma around it, are very familiar to me. There's a strange sort of comfort in stepping into someone else's shoes—paws—for a while, and to see just how similar their story is to your own. Even if it's at a vastly different time of life, background, and circumstances.
Easy read. I highly recommend. And while there are adult themes and language, there's nothing explicit, which I have heard is common in Gold's books.
Needless to say, I have no issue with that, and will undoubtedly be reading more of them.
Put as simply as possible, this book is about change. The fear, uncertainty, and confrontation of self that comes with it.
And genuinely, it was so fun to read. The characters felt natural, well fleshed out in this Alter-Earth world. I was invested in pretty much all of them, as each felt incredibly real despite possibly not having a lot of screen time.
I found myself deeply in the same shoes as Aziz, even though his homophobia is not something I agree with, I did grow up religious and his viewpoint, and the trauma around it, are very familiar to me. There's a strange sort of comfort in stepping into someone else's shoes—paws—for a while, and to see just how similar their story is to your own. Even if it's at a vastly different time of life, background, and circumstances.
Easy read. I highly recommend. And while there are adult themes and language, there's nothing explicit, which I have heard is common in Gold's books.
Needless to say, I have no issue with that, and will undoubtedly be reading more of them.
August 19, 2019
A great book about a cheetah coming to terms with change, letting go of what he knows in order to let new enter his life.
I certainly like the main character Aziz, as even if it is Gold's usual writing characters unsure of what they want, there is something peculiar about a much older character just learning he doesn't have what he actually wants.
The one thing that I really disliked about the book was how quickly the ending was. I mean, the book simply stopped when it was getting to the best part, to it's climax. It leaves everything up to the reader to just imagine what happened.
Now I have read this book is somehow related to Love Match, another Gold book I haven't read yet, so I'm unsure if perhaps those scenes are explored in that one.
Still, it is a wonderful read, and a very quick one at that too. For what it's worth, it did leave some valuable lessons on me. (As usual from the amazing writer Kyell is).
I certainly like the main character Aziz, as even if it is Gold's usual writing characters unsure of what they want, there is something peculiar about a much older character just learning he doesn't have what he actually wants.
The one thing that I really disliked about the book was how quickly the ending was. I mean, the book simply stopped when it was getting to the best part, to it's climax. It leaves everything up to the reader to just imagine what happened.
Now I have read this book is somehow related to Love Match, another Gold book I haven't read yet, so I'm unsure if perhaps those scenes are explored in that one.
Still, it is a wonderful read, and a very quick one at that too. For what it's worth, it did leave some valuable lessons on me. (As usual from the amazing writer Kyell is).
February 1, 2025
3.7 rating rounded up to a 4. It wasn't so slow that it deserves a 3.5 rating but I feel that it doesn't quite hit a 4 for me either. Its premise is unlike anything I've read before so I was quite interested when starting it, but it didn't feel particularly exciting or fantastically engaging -- that's not to say it was poorly written but rather the events felt a bit static. Even though the plot is about Aziz's internal struggle between religion and queerness, I think the storyline could have benefited from some better action and character development. In regards to the furry aspect of things, it didn't really serve a purpose to the plot or world, but nevertheless why the hell not; furries are cool. Was pleasantly surprised to find some nice illustrations of scenes amongst the writing though.
December 24, 2025
I actually started to read this due to a tweet i saw (https://x.com/mudshevik/status/200317...).
I mainly thought nothing of it, even told my friend that i'll read it while laughing. well last pages in and i was a sobbing mess LOL
I'm a queer, immigrant muslim myself and saw myself in aziz more than id like to admit (its a sin, i cannot and wont act on it, that stuff). i appreciated the way islam was portrayed, i did go in a little skeptical when i looked up the author but honestly? i appreciated and loved the efforts he put in to portray the characters and the world around them.
maybe not the book i thought i would end the year with, but it was definitely a good read, and a quick one too! i enjoyed the writing very much and honestly i might even look into more of Gold's work 👀👀👀!!!!
thanks
I mainly thought nothing of it, even told my friend that i'll read it while laughing. well last pages in and i was a sobbing mess LOL
I'm a queer, immigrant muslim myself and saw myself in aziz more than id like to admit (its a sin, i cannot and wont act on it, that stuff). i appreciated the way islam was portrayed, i did go in a little skeptical when i looked up the author but honestly? i appreciated and loved the efforts he put in to portray the characters and the world around them.
maybe not the book i thought i would end the year with, but it was definitely a good read, and a quick one too! i enjoyed the writing very much and honestly i might even look into more of Gold's work 👀👀👀!!!!
thanks
May 8, 2017
This was my introduction to the world of 'furry literature'. I knew that I wanted my first book to be by the most well-known of authors in the fandom, Kyell Gold. I had heard that this particular novella had had a Slate article written on it, and that only piqued my interest further.
I adore stories that stray from the western norm, that take an older protagonist and tackle subjects not often seen woven together. Here, Gold has attempted (and in my opinion, succeeded) in writing a story about a Muslim man struggling with his identify, his marriage, and his faith all while scrambling to move forward in a gentrifying community.
The result is a concise but meaningful read that I would recommend to anyone, including non-furries. I very much look forward to reading more of Gold's work.
I adore stories that stray from the western norm, that take an older protagonist and tackle subjects not often seen woven together. Here, Gold has attempted (and in my opinion, succeeded) in writing a story about a Muslim man struggling with his identify, his marriage, and his faith all while scrambling to move forward in a gentrifying community.
The result is a concise but meaningful read that I would recommend to anyone, including non-furries. I very much look forward to reading more of Gold's work.
January 17, 2025
Well written and beautifully illustrated, though politically muddy and thematically pretty basic. Not much is done with the idea of gentrification other than a weak suggestion that change is inevitable, in an attempted parallel with a character coming to terms with homosexuality as a concept, which to me buries the lede that those two types of change are obviously different. The imagery was beautiful, the characters were instantly memorable, if underdeveloped at times (RIP Benjamin and Gerald's presence in the story), the dialogue was engaging, and the concept was exciting, but this missed the mark for me a bit.
I'll also say that I'm not Muslim, so I'm going to elect not to comment on that element of the narrative.
I'll also say that I'm not Muslim, so I'm going to elect not to comment on that element of the narrative.
August 1, 2018
Profound and lovely. This novella was a fantastic read delving into sexuality and the Muslim faith. I'm not Muslim myself, so I cannot say how much is right in this book, but it takes a deep look into a father coming to terms with his estranged gay son and his deep faith and love of his community. The characters feel real, as if you can reach out and touch them with how Kyell wrote them into a carefully crafted existence. He has now made a new fan from this novella and his calatian series. My only complaint is that it ended.
January 30, 2024
It was refreshing to see this book's unique perspective on relationship hardships presented in such an accessible story. I appreciated how the tension between the characters resolved in a practical but somewhat ambiguous way, leaving the reader to interpret the situations in a way that's most satisfying to themself. The Muslim representation added an extra layer to the plot, without which it wouldn't have been as enjoyable.
March 31, 2025
you know what yeah. Hell yeah!! I was anticipating horny furry smut but what I got instead was just as satisfying (???)—it was so tender and heartwarming!! and well researched. Very cool to see an exploration of Islam and all in all it was an interesting cross section of themes and identities.
October 30, 2018
Wonderful novella! Thank you for putting in the time to research Islam in order to portray your characters respectfully.
December 11, 2024
Great reflective monologues
January 20, 2025
Yeah he's NOT goated
March 20, 2018
Kyell Gold proves that he's still one of the most inspiring talented GLBT writers in the furry community these days, approaching most delicate topics through a deep sensible but realistic storyline. Supporting and highly encouraging!
February 9, 2017
Like most of Kyell's "Cupcake" novellas, "The Time he Desires" is a short but sufficient treat that has a little more meat in it than most of his other short stories.
The topics and ideas presented here are complicated and deep, dealing with issues of change versus tradition in not only faith, but relationships, home, and sexuality. What do we hold on to, what do we let go? What is worth keeping, and is it okay to explore other roads and possibilities?
Being a novella, some might be disappointed that these topics aren't explored further than what is presented, but Kyell manages to say a lot in the short span of pages he has to work with. In the end, even if the answers to all the questions raised aren't given, you at least get a sense of where they might head.
That being said, there are some characters and plot points that I wished we did get closure on. Alas, perhaps we might see them again in the future? Kyell does have a skill at including characters and places from previously established books into the story in a way that doesn't leave the reader wondering if they're missing something, but rewards longtime readers for noticing. Apparently there are characters featured here that appear in another story of his, "Love Match", which I haven't read yet but now am excited to knowing that.
As with his other works and indeed most "furry" literature in general, it might be hard to recommend to people if the fact that the characters are all talking animals distracts them too much, but if they're open enough to the idea I think this novella is worth showing to people and might even be a great gateway for them to enjoy other "furry" stories.
The topics and ideas presented here are complicated and deep, dealing with issues of change versus tradition in not only faith, but relationships, home, and sexuality. What do we hold on to, what do we let go? What is worth keeping, and is it okay to explore other roads and possibilities?
Being a novella, some might be disappointed that these topics aren't explored further than what is presented, but Kyell manages to say a lot in the short span of pages he has to work with. In the end, even if the answers to all the questions raised aren't given, you at least get a sense of where they might head.
That being said, there are some characters and plot points that I wished we did get closure on. Alas, perhaps we might see them again in the future? Kyell does have a skill at including characters and places from previously established books into the story in a way that doesn't leave the reader wondering if they're missing something, but rewards longtime readers for noticing. Apparently there are characters featured here that appear in another story of his, "Love Match", which I haven't read yet but now am excited to knowing that.
As with his other works and indeed most "furry" literature in general, it might be hard to recommend to people if the fact that the characters are all talking animals distracts them too much, but if they're open enough to the idea I think this novella is worth showing to people and might even be a great gateway for them to enjoy other "furry" stories.
February 14, 2017
It is a good book to try to understand this two delicate worlds when they crash (islam and lgtb), but it leaves a cliffhager about the other couple in the story....
March 25, 2025
my only complaint is that this book should have been like 50% longer so that the ending could have been a proper resolution. other than that, amazing book. i 💗 intersectionality
4.25⭐
4.25⭐
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