Book Description
Three years ago, Cohen Brandwein was a teenage media-darling, a popular author and internet celebrity. But ever since he came out as trans, public opinion has been less than golden, and these days he wants nothing more than to escape the big city and find somewhere quiet to work on his next book.
Synopsis
What really happened when Theseus met the Minotaur? How did demon-slaying Momotarō come to be raised by two daddies? Will Scheherazade’s hapless Ma’aruf ever find love and prosperity after his freeloading boyfriend kicks him out on the street? Classic lore gets a bold remodeling with stories from light-hearted and absurd, earnestly romantic, daring and adventurous, to darkly surreal.
The Rose is linked with Reisz’s previous novel, The Red, but can be read perfectly well as a standalone. It tells the story of a young English woman, Lia, who is from a highly privileged background. She has just graduated, and the story begins at her graduation party. One of the gifts she’s given is a unique artefact, a rose kylix – and around this item hinges the entire tale. A fellow guest at the party has his eye on the kylix, and without giving too much away, from there spins out a web of intrigue, deception, adventure and, of course – this is Reisz, after all – totally hot sex.
I found this unique novel to be a breath of fresh air – just something a little different, brilliantly written as always, with intriguing characters, wonderful scenes, lots of twists and turns, and a satisfying ending. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for an erotic romance with one foot in reality and the other in utter decadent fantasy.