The Water Lovers of Sirilon

L.E. Bryce

Publisher:
Phaze Books

Release Date:
July 2008

Genres:
Gay/Lesbian M/M
Shape Shifter
Anthology

ISBN:
eBook
9781606590898
Print
9781594266935
Kindle
No ISBN

Bookmark Rating:

 

Reviewed by
Yosha

Review Posted:
December 2008

In this three story anthology, L.E. Bryce explores stories of male/male love set in the world of Sirilon. 

KI’IRI.  Daro, the grandson of a fisherman, is a Senu.  A man who can speak to the hrill, creatures sacred to the Lady of the Water.  These sea creatures help the fisherman know when a storm is coming and where to find fish and other riches of the sea.  After one storm, Daro meets a hrill line none other.  He is Arion, a Taleve (a chosen lover of the Lady), and a Ki’iri (a person who can take the form of an animal).  Although forbidden to one of the Lady’s lovers, Daro soon comes to love Arion.  Then Daro is himself chosen to be one of the Lady’s lovers.  He becomes at once untouchable and desirable to all.  In despair, he gives up his past and leaps into the sea. 

BECOMING.  A man throws himself into the sea in despair.  His name is lost, but he is not.  He is a Taleve, who washes up on the Lady’s island where he is cared for by her priests and her other lovers.  When he tries to hide, Olenwe – another Taleve – refuses to let him.  Olenwe insists that the man face the world and their love for each other.     

STILL LIFE.  The nameless man, now known as Ninion, is an artist, asked to help decorate a new temple for the Lady.  As his work progresses, so does his love for Olenwe. Then, his past comes back to interfere with his art and his love.  Ninion must resolve his past conflicts before he can move forward in his life. 

I wanted to like these stories.  I really did.  Unfortunately for me, I simply could not believe the world L.E. Bryce created.  The basic premise of these stories is that each of the Taleve is personally selected by the Lady of the Water to be her lover and is, accordingly, forbidden to everyone else.  In fact, an ordinary person can be killed for trying to force one’s attention on a Taleve.  But, since the Lady rarely visits each of her lovers, they find love with each other.  And the Lady is pleased that they do so. 

I just didn’t get it.  And because of that, I couldn’t connect with the characters or the story.  I’m willing to admit that this is just me, and my taste.  I hope these stories find a home with someone.  It just won’t be me. 

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