Jenna
2025 Review:
I decided to reread this in memory of the author, an old friend on Goodreads back when I first discovered the m/m genre in the early 2010s, when it was still niche, not yet mainstream. That was really a special time on the site that I remember so fondly for the community we had, lasting friendships that were formed, and SO many interesting and entertaining conversations we all had in the comments of reviews and in groups. Most of those people are no longer active on Goodreads, and the ones I am still friends with communicate with me through other apps. I had noticed that Emma was no longer reviewing m/m books, and wished she were, because she was one of the few who very closely matched my dark tastes. I always valued her reviews for that reason. I only found out the other day that she had been battling cancer, and passed away very recently.
It's a painful reminder of how short life is, and how important it is to value our time with loved ones. I wanted to read this story again so that Emma's words could live on in my mind. Reading the author bio at the end broke my heart.
This novella was even better the second time around. It has been nearly 11 years since I read it the first time, so I'd forgotten most of it. After reading mainstream m/m these past few years, it really makes me appreciate the unique, boundary-pushing, skilled writing that was easier to find back then, before it was drowned out by truck loads of cliched fluffy romances, or "dark" romances that are just silly and over the top instead of truly gripping tales like The Arroyo. I did not realize at the time how spoiled I was.
My old review is accurate. I'm definitely still evil 😈 I loved this story. So dark, also with my favorite kink, great world building; I felt their despair and rage and hope, loved their resilience and their connection to one another. It felt fitting, given the hellscape my country is becoming. I saved so many quotes. Certain parts were VERY cathartic, considering my own helpless rage about the dehumanization of so many people that I've witnessed the past few years. Thank you, Emma. 💔
Original 2014 Review:
This story reminded me that I am slightly evil, because my response to the scene with Isaac and Miller at the end was YESSSSS.
2025 Review:
I decided to reread this in memory of the author, an old friend on Goodreads back when I first discovered the m/m genre in the early 2010s, when it was still niche, not yet mainstream. That was really a special time on the site that I remember so fondly for the community we had, lasting friendships that were formed, and SO many interesting and entertaining conversations we all had in the comments of reviews and in groups. Most of those people are no longer active on Goodreads, and the ones I am still friends with communicate with me through other apps. I had noticed that Emma was no longer reviewing m/m books, and wished she were, because she was one of the few who very closely matched my dark tastes. I always valued her reviews for that reason. I only found out the other day that she had been battling cancer, and passed away very recently.
It's a painful reminder of how short life is, and how important it is to value our time with loved ones. I wanted to read this story again so that Emma's words could live on in my mind. Reading the author bio at the end broke my heart.
This novella was even better the second time around. It has been nearly 11 years since I read it the first time, so I'd forgotten most of it. After reading mainstream m/m these past few years, it really makes me appreciate the unique, boundary-pushing, skilled writing that was easier to find back then, before it was drowned out by truck loads of cliched fluffy romances, or "dark" romances that are just silly and over the top instead of truly gripping tales like The Arroyo. I did not realize at the time how spoiled I was.
My old review is accurate. I'm definitely still evil 😈 I loved this story. So dark, also with my favorite kink, great world building; I felt their despair and rage and hope, loved their resilience and their connection to one another. It felt fitting, given the hellscape my country is becoming. I saved so many quotes. Certain parts were VERY cathartic, considering my own helpless rage about the dehumanization of so many people that I've witnessed the past few years. Thank you, Emma. 💔
Original 2014 Review:
This story reminded me that I am slightly evil, because my response to the scene with Isaac and Miller at the end was YESSSSS.