The Mark of Amulii

When I had the luxury to begin reading this book, the premise alone is really what got me. In the gay community, a lot of what we get is usually superficial works written by women, and you rarely get that "beauty and the beast" story but with men.

Aeron Dusk delivers something that is beyond incredible. The pacing is first, and foremost, unnaturally good for a first publication! Characters interact with both realistic, and well articulated behaviors and nothing seems overtly dramatic, or inauthentic. In fact, the authenticity of the characters, their motivations, and their reactions is what caught me over, and over again!

I could review each character in depth for a long time, but I will say that Alex and Amulii are unbelievably loving. I enjoyed the traits of Alex that felt so familiar to my-self, a gay man who struggled a lot in his youth. It hits very close to home, and I found my-self constantly sympathizing, and feeling every situation through Alex's eyes.

Because this is a romance too, the fact we were given Gay Werewolf romance blew my mind. It is non-existent. Such things are almost entirely relegated to women getting the monster, and let me tell you, I was not prepared for how much I fell in love with Amulii and Alex. Their struggles, their transformations, and the Author's complete devotion and attention TO the very nature of the Werewolf species! The passion was communicated, and what a gift it was to be given something like this by this Author!

The growth of these characters, of their relationship, of all of it, is something I thought about for hours even after the book. I had to go back and read parts again, and then eventually read it front to back! I will say it was truly a wonderful experience to read this book, and I hope more readers give this the chance it deserves!