I first came across these two
characters, Troy (Babu) Babilonia and Larson Blackburn in Andrea Smith’s Hearts
Afire anthology – and I absolutely hated them, couldn’t see anything positive
or nice to say about them. But then it
wasn’t their story, it was Lloyd Ledbetter (an ex of Larson’s) and Luke
Gunner’s, so, naturally my loyalty was to this pair and Larson and Babu just
came across as condescending asshats.
Which after reading Black Balled, I realised they truly were. But for
two characters that were so completely opinionated, self-absorbed and
obnoxious, they were surprisingly enough very appealing in their own
right. I enjoyed just about every moment
of their fiery, bitter, scathing and erotic interactions.
Under the pseudonym of L
Blackburn, Larson has poured his heart and soul into a story he has
self-published – a decision he has made by choice, rather than because he has
to in this instance, but by this very action he has brought himself to the
attention of Babu, a scathing and career destroying reviewer.
Their resultant interactions were
hilarious, horrid, and absorbing. They
began a long distance love/hate relationship, in that they both loved to hate
each other. But in doing so they became
totally absorbed. The back and forth of
their email communications was enthralling and filled with an appealing dark
humour.
The story offered a fascinating
glimpse into the life of an Indi Author on the verge of ‘making it’, and a
reviewer, albeit an emotionally scarred one determined to burn him down. How close to the truth of it, it all is, I
don’t know, but it was certainly a fun and entertaining tale, what with the
inclusion of Larson’s current lover (see above) and a scheming ex-wife who
hadn’t quite got the message that Larson was keen for multiple lovers of both
genders and not what they had gone through over the last unhappy years.
Babu on the other hand was just
confused, refusing to accept his sexuality for what it was due to traumas
happening in his past life. That and a
knife in an elevator, had the guy almost a recluse in his own apartment. Until the pair met at a convention - in a
stalled elevator, of all places – and not recognising exactly who each other
were, they shared a life-changing moment.
Honestly I loved the interplay
between the two alphas. When their
relationship finally took off it was beyond enjoyable – neither wanting to take
the submissive position. But for the
less obnoxious (not by much, may I just say) and more experienced in all things
homosexual, Larson, the tentative relationship would have been doomed. It almost was, thanks to the ex, that and L
Blackburn’s faltering career.
I will say though, if you are not
a fan of gender comparison, then be aware there is a bit of it going on in this
book. Larson is bisexual and you do get
his sexual views on what is best about both sexes, but they can come across as
a little disparaging to women, and this is reinforced again with the couple’s
punishment of the manipulative and deceiving ex-wife.
That said, I will definitely revisit
this imperfect pair again and again because I found them extremely fascinating
- faults and all.
««««1/2
Sydney Whyte
Rating Chart
«……………….A no goer
««……………Alright, but not a re-read
«««………..Liked it
««««…….Loved it
«««««…Amaze-balls – ticks all the boxes!!!
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