What do you think?
Rate this book
In the Eyes #1
Eyes of an Innocent
In a world where people are classed according to their sexual expertise, Reji is an Innocent, frustrated in his unconsummated relationship with a woman. He decides to test his sexual orientation by visiting a gay club—but it all goes horribly wrong until Shen, an expert Teacher, shows up to rescue him. Once Shen meets Reji, he knows they’re right for each other… but there are trials and insecurities to deal with, as well as Shen's commitment to another man, before the two men—or three—can find happiness.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2010
2 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Valentina Heart
22 books304 followersI would say that I am first a reader and then a writer. My fascination with books goes way back into the past when I didn't even know I could read something that wasn't given to me in school. Writing came later. First when I tried writing down the plots of the movies I found overwhelming and later in the form of a very dark blog that connected me with people I still consider very good friends.
When in reading I always reached for happy ending romances that helped me deal with the bad side of the world, while in my short stories characters died and their life usually reflected the reality that surrounded mine.
In time, vampires and shifters took the place of knights in shiny armors and I still searched for that happy ending . But with the years also came that wish for something edgier.
My current reading habits take me daily into the world of men, where kink is preferable and angst the realistic side of life in my dose of fiction. It was only natural that my fingers followed my thoughts and I came to a point where men only ogled men and women became side characters.
Somehow out of love for reading a writer was born. I won't say that the handsome men walking through my imagination have everything a reader might want. They are usually troubled, lost and insecure, but as they slowly stroll through my worlds, they eventually find their happy ending.
When in reading I always reached for happy ending romances that helped me deal with the bad side of the world, while in my short stories characters died and their life usually reflected the reality that surrounded mine.
In time, vampires and shifters took the place of knights in shiny armors and I still searched for that happy ending . But with the years also came that wish for something edgier.
My current reading habits take me daily into the world of men, where kink is preferable and angst the realistic side of life in my dose of fiction. It was only natural that my fingers followed my thoughts and I came to a point where men only ogled men and women became side characters.
Somehow out of love for reading a writer was born. I won't say that the handsome men walking through my imagination have everything a reader might want. They are usually troubled, lost and insecure, but as they slowly stroll through my worlds, they eventually find their happy ending.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 13, 2010
Waouw, I was really surprised by this story! The characterisation is really well done, the writing fascinating. I liked the world Valentina created!
I just think it should have been longer : the process of Reji accepting Maro in his life needed more place in the story. It seemed rushed.
Overall I really liked all the characters and couldn't put the book down.
I'm curious to know if we'll have a sequel for London's story.
Recommended.
I just think it should have been longer : the process of Reji accepting Maro in his life needed more place in the story. It seemed rushed.
Overall I really liked all the characters and couldn't put the book down.
I'm curious to know if we'll have a sequel for London's story.
Recommended.
January 15, 2011
Wow, this was a great book. I really liked it. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. Even though in the end it was a threesome, which I don't like to read, I was so caught up in the story that I didn't mind it becoming an m/m/m.
Reji has a dilemma. He's twenty years old and is still considered an Innocent. After breaking up with his girlfriend, he decides to fix that problem by going to a gay bar. Unfortunately, once he's there, it's just too overwhelming. When some guy starts harassing him, Shen comes to the rescue. Shen is a Teacher and once Reji gets over his fright, they form a cautious relationship during which Shen helps Reji get over his confusion and insecurities being with another man gives him. When Reji starts to finally accept his feelings for Shen, he learns of Shen's relationship with another man and all his confusion and doubt comes rushing back along with heartache.
I really loved the idea around this world. How you can tell a person's sexual experience by their eye color and how they are classified as Innocents, Adults, or Teachers. Innocents being sexually inexperienced with green eyes. Adults being sexually active with blue eyes and Teachers being the highest and most respected with purple eyes. Teachers have a higher understanding of life, love and spirituality and have the highest sexual experience. It was quite fascinating and refreshing to read something like this because the idea of the world has never been used.
I loved Reji. He was so adorable with his confusion for his feelings for Shen and how all his emotions showed on his face. He had this really cute quirk of talking out loud to himself. It was both funny and sweet. Shen is like a rock. He's always calm, centered and patient, always in touch with is inner-self which is why he's a Teacher. Maro is a Teacher as well, and while we didn't get much details about him, his mischief is what appealed to me as well.
The only thing I had a problem with was how fast Reji accepted Maro. From all his confusion just accepting Shen, I expected Reji's acceptance of Maro to be drawn out a little more. I also would have liked a little more on Maro. I hope there will be a sequel so that we can learn more about this third partner and how they can make a relationship work.
Overall, a great read. Highly recommended. [image error]
Reji has a dilemma. He's twenty years old and is still considered an Innocent. After breaking up with his girlfriend, he decides to fix that problem by going to a gay bar. Unfortunately, once he's there, it's just too overwhelming. When some guy starts harassing him, Shen comes to the rescue. Shen is a Teacher and once Reji gets over his fright, they form a cautious relationship during which Shen helps Reji get over his confusion and insecurities being with another man gives him. When Reji starts to finally accept his feelings for Shen, he learns of Shen's relationship with another man and all his confusion and doubt comes rushing back along with heartache.
I really loved the idea around this world. How you can tell a person's sexual experience by their eye color and how they are classified as Innocents, Adults, or Teachers. Innocents being sexually inexperienced with green eyes. Adults being sexually active with blue eyes and Teachers being the highest and most respected with purple eyes. Teachers have a higher understanding of life, love and spirituality and have the highest sexual experience. It was quite fascinating and refreshing to read something like this because the idea of the world has never been used.
I loved Reji. He was so adorable with his confusion for his feelings for Shen and how all his emotions showed on his face. He had this really cute quirk of talking out loud to himself. It was both funny and sweet. Shen is like a rock. He's always calm, centered and patient, always in touch with is inner-self which is why he's a Teacher. Maro is a Teacher as well, and while we didn't get much details about him, his mischief is what appealed to me as well.
The only thing I had a problem with was how fast Reji accepted Maro. From all his confusion just accepting Shen, I expected Reji's acceptance of Maro to be drawn out a little more. I also would have liked a little more on Maro. I hope there will be a sequel so that we can learn more about this third partner and how they can make a relationship work.
Overall, a great read. Highly recommended. [image error]
January 31, 2011
The story is told in the point-of-view of 20-year-old Reji. In a world where the eye-color reflects the level of sexual expertise of the population, his green eyes show to everyone is still an Innocent, a virgin. He wants to lose his innocence, but his attempts at it with his girlfriend are so frustrating that, after being dumped because of it, he decides to test his sexual orientation as a desperate measure.
In the gay club he chooses to test the waters, with the fake blue eyes of an Adult and a wavering determination, Reji is like a lamb led to a sacrificial altar. He almost gets raped by two men in a public toilet, when the Teacher Shen comes to the rescue, with his purple eyes and his superior wisdom. At the end of the night Reji has the blue eyes he craved, but the realization of the loss of his innocence with a man brings fear and confusion.
The contrast between Reji and Shen is striking. They are polar opposites in the sense that Reji is inexperienced and at the beginning of his life, while Shen has reached a stage of profound knowledge and understanding of the human nature. Reji is telling his own story, so we only see his side of the story, and Shen appears to us as a rock, bigger than life, a patient man that waits for Reji to accept what the heart is trying to tell him and his mind refuses to comprehend. When the heart and mind are clashing, the body sometimes takes over. Sex is a way for Shen to reach Reji on a more instinctual level, where the demands and expectations of the outside world count nothing, but it's not easy for the younger man to accept this and his reactions are those of a man who's easily hurt by a simple gesture because he hasn't been able to build the shields to protect himself.
The story is really beautiful and Reji is a character you feel for and you want to protect. I could totally relate with his insecurities and the self-doubt. I found sometimes he over-reacted a little bit, as if he was even younger than his age.
The menage thing came a little out of left field and when I was ready to know everything about Maro, the story came to an end with a lot of promises and possibilities. I would have preferred two things: a little bit more resistance on Reji's part at the idea (but I appreciated there wasn't a lot of drama) and more Maro (in the sense that I would have liked to see him actively seduce Reji and not only enthrall him).
That's why it's 4.5 stars. I want to see more of this world and I want to read of Reji's education or to know another Innocent, anything to go back to that world again.
In the gay club he chooses to test the waters, with the fake blue eyes of an Adult and a wavering determination, Reji is like a lamb led to a sacrificial altar. He almost gets raped by two men in a public toilet, when the Teacher Shen comes to the rescue, with his purple eyes and his superior wisdom. At the end of the night Reji has the blue eyes he craved, but the realization of the loss of his innocence with a man brings fear and confusion.
The contrast between Reji and Shen is striking. They are polar opposites in the sense that Reji is inexperienced and at the beginning of his life, while Shen has reached a stage of profound knowledge and understanding of the human nature. Reji is telling his own story, so we only see his side of the story, and Shen appears to us as a rock, bigger than life, a patient man that waits for Reji to accept what the heart is trying to tell him and his mind refuses to comprehend. When the heart and mind are clashing, the body sometimes takes over. Sex is a way for Shen to reach Reji on a more instinctual level, where the demands and expectations of the outside world count nothing, but it's not easy for the younger man to accept this and his reactions are those of a man who's easily hurt by a simple gesture because he hasn't been able to build the shields to protect himself.
The story is really beautiful and Reji is a character you feel for and you want to protect. I could totally relate with his insecurities and the self-doubt. I found sometimes he over-reacted a little bit, as if he was even younger than his age.
The menage thing came a little out of left field and when I was ready to know everything about Maro, the story came to an end with a lot of promises and possibilities. I would have preferred two things: a little bit more resistance on Reji's part at the idea (but I appreciated there wasn't a lot of drama) and more Maro (in the sense that I would have liked to see him actively seduce Reji and not only enthrall him).
That's why it's 4.5 stars. I want to see more of this world and I want to read of Reji's education or to know another Innocent, anything to go back to that world again.
January 15, 2018
Re-read: 5/3/2015-5/7/2015
Pretty much the same feeling as my first read through. I liked the writing and the formality of the language.
Original read: 9/23/2012-9/25/2012
I'm done with
. I didn't have quite the problem with it that a friend/BINGO buddy had. I think that I accepted the societal norm of a culture where the power comes from sexual expertise. I think, with that acceptance, the highly sensual descriptions made sense, so I was, likewise, able to accept the gushy, sometimes overly dramatic language. There were a few times that were a bit much to take. I'm not really sure how someone give/receives a passionate kiss to the forehead, but....
I did have a couple of problems. The main character actually speaking aloud to himself (when he was alone, no less) really threw me off, and I didn't like that bit. Also, there was just something that felt "off" for the first two-thirds of the story. Maybe I got used to whatever it was that was setting off my spidey-sense for the last third. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I had trouble connecting with Reji through most of the story.
Insta-love isn't a problem for me, but I know it bothers some folks.
The only other real problem is that the main character, Reji, struggled with accepting his homosexuality, though in the story the other main character explains something of an omnisexuality. I felt that with the emphasis Reji put on not being "that way" evaporated during the last 20-25% of the story without enough explanation of his acceptance of his sexuality. He even moved from being a virgin who isn't gay but whose boyfriend is to . I think if the story were longer then Reji could have been given more time to figure things out more naturally.
Three stars because I liked it, but I couldn't help but think through it.
Pretty much the same feeling as my first read through. I liked the writing and the formality of the language.
Original read: 9/23/2012-9/25/2012
I'm done with
. I didn't have quite the problem with it that a friend/BINGO buddy had. I think that I accepted the societal norm of a culture where the power comes from sexual expertise. I think, with that acceptance, the highly sensual descriptions made sense, so I was, likewise, able to accept the gushy, sometimes overly dramatic language. There were a few times that were a bit much to take. I'm not really sure how someone give/receives a passionate kiss to the forehead, but....I did have a couple of problems. The main character actually speaking aloud to himself (when he was alone, no less) really threw me off, and I didn't like that bit. Also, there was just something that felt "off" for the first two-thirds of the story. Maybe I got used to whatever it was that was setting off my spidey-sense for the last third. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I had trouble connecting with Reji through most of the story.
Insta-love isn't a problem for me, but I know it bothers some folks.
The only other real problem is that the main character, Reji, struggled with accepting his homosexuality, though in the story the other main character explains something of an omnisexuality. I felt that with the emphasis Reji put on not being "that way" evaporated during the last 20-25% of the story without enough explanation of his acceptance of his sexuality. He even moved from being a virgin who isn't gay but whose boyfriend is to . I think if the story were longer then Reji could have been given more time to figure things out more naturally.
Three stars because I liked it, but I couldn't help but think through it.
February 16, 2011
I'd been watching a lot of anime when the idea for this one came. But it was Loveless that pushed me into writing it. In this one episode Ritsuka was holding his cell phone in bed, waiting for a message and the feeling I had then stayed with me until I wrote it all down.
The first version was considerably shorter, with Cherry being just a character from the past and London completely nonexistent. So it took a bit more writing and adding details about the world to create a society where some things are the same and others quite different.
I read it again; after all the edits were done and it had this nice cover( the first day I got it I kept glancing at it every few minutes;)), and it still put a smile on my face. I couldn't help it but think it was sweet.
My rating probably isn't objective, as I wrote the book after all, but there are plenty of others here with high and low ratings to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Reading it or not,
Take care
Valentina
There is a review for this book on S.J.D. Peterson blog. You can find it here - SJD Peterson - Book Appreciation
The first version was considerably shorter, with Cherry being just a character from the past and London completely nonexistent. So it took a bit more writing and adding details about the world to create a society where some things are the same and others quite different.
I read it again; after all the edits were done and it had this nice cover( the first day I got it I kept glancing at it every few minutes;)), and it still put a smile on my face. I couldn't help it but think it was sweet.
My rating probably isn't objective, as I wrote the book after all, but there are plenty of others here with high and low ratings to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Reading it or not,
Take care
Valentina
There is a review for this book on S.J.D. Peterson blog. You can find it here - SJD Peterson - Book Appreciation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2013
I read 60%, skimmed the rest.
I didn't like the writing (corny), didn't like the world where everything revolves around sex, didn't understand the whining main character and found the Teachers outside-planetary work laughable (teaching other races how to make babies, because they forgot??)
I didn't like the writing (corny), didn't like the world where everything revolves around sex, didn't understand the whining main character and found the Teachers outside-planetary work laughable (teaching other races how to make babies, because they forgot??)
May 28, 2012
Stop,stop - mercy!
The dialogue in this book makes my skin crawl.
Innocent eyes was a promising idea for a nice S/F story,but should I have to read one more word from the Teacher-preacher I would drag him out of this book and beat him unconscious - I swear!
The dialogue in this book makes my skin crawl.
Innocent eyes was a promising idea for a nice S/F story,but should I have to read one more word from the Teacher-preacher I would drag him out of this book and beat him unconscious - I swear!
October 3, 2010
sweet story about learning how to accept ourselves.
hope there will be a story with Reji when he'll have his purple eyes !
hope there will be a story with Reji when he'll have his purple eyes !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2012
How would you feel if everyone knew you were a virgin just by the colour of your eyes? I guess if it were me, since I don't find it to be a stigma to be a virgin, it would be fine. Not so for Reji who is dating a viperous girl, Cherry. Cherry's cruel words make Reji question himself. It pushes Reji to try something daring which places him in a dicey situation. Nearly raped, Reji is terrified of every male, even a trustworthy Teacher, Shen, who saved him. The only good thing about Reji trying to find a lover at a gay bar is meeting Shen. Shen is not what he expected for a lover and Reji panics over his sexuality.
This is the first in the series by Ms. Heart. I read these out of order and I have to say it doesn't matter. I enjoyed this first book too because it was sweet and lays out the world Ms. Heart is trying to create. I have to say, I like this world of Ms. Heart. The reason why I like it is because her Teachers are men and women who love indiscriminately. There are no hang-ups with sexual preference categories. From my personal experience where I prefer to view people as entities rather than male or female, it works so well for me. Since I've never declared my sexual preferences, this world Ms. Heart created, speaks to me.
This short story's main conflict is the sexual hang-ups people have about loving a person of the same sex. We watch Reji struggle to accept loving Shen as a person and not freak out that Shen is a man. When a third person is added to this relationship, we watch Reji lose it again to try and accept something different than what he has been taught. I confess, I don't understand Reji's issues. I feel for Shen as he's taken through the wringer by Reji's bipolar behaviour. At one point, I wonder if Reji should just pull petals off a flower to say, "I love; I love you not. I love; I love you not." It may be easier for him to decide if he wants to be with Shen or not. We can expect Reji's immaturity because he was a green-eyed innocent, just recently turned into a blue-eyed adult.
As I'm getting into the smexy scenes with Reji and Shen, we learn that Shen is a Teacher who gives sex demos with his partner. This normally would just have me drooling, but when Shen suggests Reji be tied up and sexually tormented in a teaching session, I nearly came. I would love to watch an educational demo with a sub tied and tormented by his two hot Doms. Just as I'm teased with this imagery, the story ends. I screamed in sexual frustration. I nearly pulled out my hair. Disgruntled, I'm sending Ms. Heart a message demanding for some hot bondage scenes in the next story in the series. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy a love story about unconditional love.
December 21, 2014
I really am at a loss what to say.
I'll try it in short sentences:
- This is NOT sci-fi. I can't really quite identify it.
The only cool idea in the whole entire book was that people developed ability to changes eye-color from green to blue after having sex for the first time (sort of like losing cat ears in Loveless).
- MC, Reji, is indeed so innocent, he might pass for a 12 year old.
- There is so much "love", combined with pining and whining and soothing and cooing and "making love" that I felt sticky and gooey, in desperate need of shower and Listerine.
So much for short sentences :)
I know some actually liked the story, but I am going to use the good old "not my cup of tea" excuse.
I'll try it in short sentences:
- This is NOT sci-fi. I can't really quite identify it.
The only cool idea in the whole entire book was that people developed ability to changes eye-color from green to blue after having sex for the first time (sort of like losing cat ears in Loveless).
- MC, Reji, is indeed so innocent, he might pass for a 12 year old.
- There is so much "love", combined with pining and whining and soothing and cooing and "making love" that I felt sticky and gooey, in desperate need of shower and Listerine.
So much for short sentences :)
I know some actually liked the story, but I am going to use the good old "not my cup of tea" excuse.
November 18, 2011
Did not finish.
Scifi/Futurist story? Evolved human? Give me a minute to laugh.
Don't be fooled like me.
The writer open his book by this sentence: EARTH is a planet respected throughout the galaxy. Its population, formerly known for wars and brutality, evolved into a new race divided among Innocents, Adults, and Teachers, easily distinguishable by the color of their eyes.
It's a lie.
First, forget about scifi/futurist, people drive car, say 'bullshit', drink vodka/red bull, have flat screen, read eBooks, can call the police....
Next, to evolved, it's take millions of years, I'd have accept several thousand of years but with my previous argument, it's evident that the writer didn't even try to create a new world...
Follow the fact that being gay seems to being an issue...
Finally, we're evolved but try to rape a person??? And when the Teacher propose to call the police, I deduced that since cop exist, it's because the're need...so,hum, we've evolved??? Yeah, sure!
I stop reading when Shen, who is in a committed relation, sleep with Reji. I hate cheater, that was the last straw.
I would have propably finish it, would have been about an other planet. That would have been credible.
EDIT:I did try to continue. Yep, it's a contemporary book. Yep, homosexuality is a problem in this reality. Yep, Shen is a f***ing asshole (can't believe this guy is supposed to be a Teacher) that cheat on his partner. I stop again at 60% of the book and he never mention being in a relationship. The third guy is not present in the book at this part and it's supposed to finish as a threesome? WTF!
Scifi/Futurist story? Evolved human? Give me a minute to laugh.
Don't be fooled like me.
The writer open his book by this sentence: EARTH is a planet respected throughout the galaxy. Its population, formerly known for wars and brutality, evolved into a new race divided among Innocents, Adults, and Teachers, easily distinguishable by the color of their eyes.
It's a lie.
First, forget about scifi/futurist, people drive car, say 'bullshit', drink vodka/red bull, have flat screen, read eBooks, can call the police....
Next, to evolved, it's take millions of years, I'd have accept several thousand of years but with my previous argument, it's evident that the writer didn't even try to create a new world...
Follow the fact that being gay seems to being an issue...
Finally, we're evolved but try to rape a person??? And when the Teacher propose to call the police, I deduced that since cop exist, it's because the're need...so,hum, we've evolved??? Yeah, sure!
I stop reading when Shen, who is in a committed relation, sleep with Reji. I hate cheater, that was the last straw.
I would have propably finish it, would have been about an other planet. That would have been credible.
EDIT:I did try to continue. Yep, it's a contemporary book. Yep, homosexuality is a problem in this reality. Yep, Shen is a f***ing asshole (can't believe this guy is supposed to be a Teacher) that cheat on his partner. I stop again at 60% of the book and he never mention being in a relationship. The third guy is not present in the book at this part and it's supposed to finish as a threesome? WTF!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2010
I loved the idea of eye color changing when you lose hour virginity. Green eyed Innocents, blue eyed adults and purple eyed Teachers inhabit Ms Valentines world. Told in first person POV by Reji, the story is a futuristic coming of age. Reji is very, very conflicted and resistant to the idea of being gay, in spite of the joy he feels when Shen, a Teacher, is with him. Reji had gone so far as to nearly getting himself raped in order to see if he did like males, and he makes some hurtful choices as he works through it. I liked his inner dialogue and how he talked to himself. It made him more likable to me.
My only issue with the story was that, after all the problems Reji has in accepting his attraction to another man, how easily he accepts being part of a threesome. He is devastated when he sees Shen with another man, but gets over this a bit too quickly, for him. However, insomuch as it is possible he had accepted himself for who he is by that point, his love for Shen opened his heart to Maro. An entertaining and interesting story, especially for a first time author.
My only issue with the story was that, after all the problems Reji has in accepting his attraction to another man, how easily he accepts being part of a threesome. He is devastated when he sees Shen with another man, but gets over this a bit too quickly, for him. However, insomuch as it is possible he had accepted himself for who he is by that point, his love for Shen opened his heart to Maro. An entertaining and interesting story, especially for a first time author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2011
Reji is an innocent. He has yet to have sex. His girlfriend doesn't engender the feelings needed. Reji thinks he may be gay so he disguises himself and enters a gay club where he is almost raped. Saved by a Teacher, he loses his virginity but is afraid and runs away. Thinking on his experience he wants to repeat it and contacts the Teacher. They begin a relationship but it changes when Reji finds out his Teacher has someone else. This is beautifully and sensitively written. When Reji loses his virginity the prose is poetic. I want to see this relationship develop.
October 18, 2010
I really enjoyed this read. I wasn't expecting a M/M/M in the end, but nice surprise in my opinion. I thought that Reji's transition from still somewhat confused and fearful of being "gay" to almost completely understanding of a 3-way relationship to be a big stretch, but that aside, I really enjoyed the story and would love to see another set in this 'universe', not necessarily with the same men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2010
I really enjoyed not only the concept of this story, but the writing style of Valentina Heart. There was such beauty in her words, that just grabbed my heart. I gave it 4 stars because I wanted more!! How can you just end a story when it is really getting started? I want to know more about the characters and more about their newfound relationship. Please give me more Valentina?!
September 22, 2012
This was a sweet story about Reji, a virgin or Innocent as they are called in his world. I liked that Reji experienced some doubts and fears over the changes in his life as it made it more realistic than blind acceptance would have done. I wish the story had been a bit longer because towards the end things seemed to get a bit rushed but otherwise I enjoyed it.
May 17, 2017
I'm such a fluffy-slut but Shen and Renji interactions left me feeling bored. It started to get good when the other lover, appeared but it was almost at the end of the book, I wanted to know more about him. I kept wondering if it wouldn't be better if they had met together instead of only Shen and Renji.
July 16, 2017
Nice idea, but even though the setting is in the future, the book isn't very futuristic and has a minimal amount of science fiction.
One of the main characters, Reji is a 20-something year old Innocent and wants to become an Adult asap, mostly I figured because of his abusive girlfriend who didn't miss a chance to subtly point out that being innocent is somehow wrong. But his problem is that he can't have sex with her because every time they start something he, if I may put it that way, loses his enthusiasm. So he figures maybe he's gay, and goes to a gay bar where he almost gets raped and then saved by a Teacher (Shen) with whom he falls in love with soon after. But no matter how ready he was to loose his innocence, he wasn't ready to be labeled as 'gay'. And that's the main issue of the book - he must come to terms with his sexuality and stop being bothered with everyone knowing he has sex with guys.
Now, the book begins with a story of how humans have 'evolved' and I got the impression from the prologue it was the kind of evolving that everyone (normal) wishes for - humans have seen the pointlessness of wars, and turned to love that is accepted in every way, shape or form. Nobody in Reji's surroundings has an issue with gays, or at least it was not pointed out in the book. So why does Reji has an issue with it? The better part of the book is about the conflict between his heart and his brain. It's almost like he's a time-traveler from our time who came to this new, evolved Earth.
And that's the thing that bothered me the most.
My advice is that you don't read about this world as futuristic but as an alternative universe. That way most things make sense and you can really enjoy it.
One of the main characters, Reji is a 20-something year old Innocent and wants to become an Adult asap, mostly I figured because of his abusive girlfriend who didn't miss a chance to subtly point out that being innocent is somehow wrong. But his problem is that he can't have sex with her because every time they start something he, if I may put it that way, loses his enthusiasm. So he figures maybe he's gay, and goes to a gay bar where he almost gets raped and then saved by a Teacher (Shen) with whom he falls in love with soon after. But no matter how ready he was to loose his innocence, he wasn't ready to be labeled as 'gay'. And that's the main issue of the book - he must come to terms with his sexuality and stop being bothered with everyone knowing he has sex with guys.
Now, the book begins with a story of how humans have 'evolved' and I got the impression from the prologue it was the kind of evolving that everyone (normal) wishes for - humans have seen the pointlessness of wars, and turned to love that is accepted in every way, shape or form. Nobody in Reji's surroundings has an issue with gays, or at least it was not pointed out in the book. So why does Reji has an issue with it? The better part of the book is about the conflict between his heart and his brain. It's almost like he's a time-traveler from our time who came to this new, evolved Earth.
And that's the thing that bothered me the most.
My advice is that you don't read about this world as futuristic but as an alternative universe. That way most things make sense and you can really enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2012
This is an intriguing story that as it progressed I got more and more interested in it. I enjoyed reading the interactions between the two main characters that at are such different places in their lives yet are trying to start a relationship together. It is interesting to watch the main character, Renji's growth and coming to terms with his feelings.
The biggest problem that I have with this book is that it teases you with something more. At the very end a new character is introduced that would potentially add a whole new dynamic and plot line to the story. Yet instead of progressing with Reji's growth and assimilation into a very new and different life that his partner and the new character talk about in the book the story just ends. It really depressed me at the end of the book since I could see so much potential for an interesting story or sequel but instead there is just a dead end that left me craving more but nothing to fill that craving. I originally rated this 5 stars thinking that there was a sequel but there isn't and doesn't look like there will be. This a great beginning to a story with and interesting take on a future earth but in the end drops the story leaving you wanting more with no where to go.
The biggest problem that I have with this book is that it teases you with something more. At the very end a new character is introduced that would potentially add a whole new dynamic and plot line to the story. Yet instead of progressing with Reji's growth and assimilation into a very new and different life that his partner and the new character talk about in the book the story just ends. It really depressed me at the end of the book since I could see so much potential for an interesting story or sequel but instead there is just a dead end that left me craving more but nothing to fill that craving. I originally rated this 5 stars thinking that there was a sequel but there isn't and doesn't look like there will be. This a great beginning to a story with and interesting take on a future earth but in the end drops the story leaving you wanting more with no where to go.
September 13, 2015
An interesting book. Set in a world where there are three types of people. Innocents, adults and teachers.
Each is determined by their eye color.
Reji is an innocent who is not turned on by women and begins to wonder if he is gay. A disasterous trip to a nightclub almost ends in his rape. He is saved by a teacher called Shen. Shen teaches Reji about sex and love. Towards the end of the book we learn that Shen is in a long term relationship with Maro and they want to make Reji their third.
A wonderfully written book hampered sometimes by some badly written dialogue.
I think this is the first in a series and I will definitely be reading more.
Each is determined by their eye color.
Reji is an innocent who is not turned on by women and begins to wonder if he is gay. A disasterous trip to a nightclub almost ends in his rape. He is saved by a teacher called Shen. Shen teaches Reji about sex and love. Towards the end of the book we learn that Shen is in a long term relationship with Maro and they want to make Reji their third.
A wonderfully written book hampered sometimes by some badly written dialogue.
I think this is the first in a series and I will definitely be reading more.
September 23, 2012
The premise was interesting but I just couldn't stand the language the author used. We had passionate kisses ... to foreheads. We had screaming in ecstasy ... from being kissed on a nipple. We had head thrashing & exploding orgasms. We had Becky gagging at the saccharine language. If you like your romance to read like an opera, this is the book for you. If you like your sex to be wordyfied to death, this is the book for you. If you like contrived angst, this is the book for you. Otherwise, stay the hell away from this book.
September 23, 2012
I liked the story although it was rather short.
The story seemed rushed and superficial and had a serious case of instalove but still it managed to keep me interested. With some more worldbuilding and fleshing out the MC's I'm sure this would be a 4 star read.
The story seemed rushed and superficial and had a serious case of instalove but still it managed to keep me interested. With some more worldbuilding and fleshing out the MC's I'm sure this would be a 4 star read.
March 13, 2015
I am not completely sure what to say about this one. Most of it had be rolling my eyes and the sex scenes really lacked something, but the premise of the story (It isn't doesn't matter what parts the one you love has) is one I can get in line with.
Read
March 24, 2011Really clever idea for a story and cool world building. It had too much dialogue for my taste, but other than that I liked it.
February 16, 2011
Very interesting love story that I enjoyed very much. I wish we could have learned more about Maro. Perhaps Valentina will grace us with a sequel. Fingers crossed.
April 9, 2013
A touching story about confronting ones insecurities and allowing love to shine through.
September 7, 2015
Futuristic menage drag queens!
Pretty much?
Pretty much?
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews