The author describes this book as an erotic romance, but that is hardly adequate. It doesn’t do justice to the writer’s ambition.
Set in a dystopian future which may not be what you expect, Gabriel, a young healer from Harmony, arrives in Riviera after a plea from its leader, who’s daughter has not recovered from an accident.
Riviera is unlike anything Gabriel could imagine in his wildest nightmares. The population is split into Humans and Slaves, and the interaction between these groups horrifies him. The slaves are bred and conditioned to be completely servile and their treatment is barbaric.
He does find unexpected friends among the humans, although most are suspicious of him and he has to keep his disgust hidden. Almost by accident, he saves the life of a runaway slave, Mariah, and the story revolves around their relationship.
Gabriel tries to convince Mariah that a different world exists outside Riviera; a world without slavery. But she is used to the mindgames of humans, and is just waiting for him to lay the next trap in the game. She’s trying to survive.
He is gradually tolerated, if only for his skills, but his involvement with a runaway, and his views on slavery lead him, Mariah and their friends into dangerous territory.
The compelling element of the book is the depiction of the world the author creates. From an early stage, the details of life in Riviera are rich, believable and convincing. The history which produced the world we see is gradually revealed and the cracks in society along with it.
The humans are complacent, decadent and morally bankrupt; indeed, morality is notable for its absence in virtually every character in the book. But their control over their slaves is total; it has been a constant in their lives for so long that change is unimaginable.
However, all this comes with a warning. The casual violence and sexual abuse inflicted on the slaves by their human masters is graphically described, and a constant feature of the story. I never found it gratuitous, but it will upset some readers, and possibly act as a trigger for others. It is not a light, gentle story.
But if you like a large helping of darkness, I think you will find much to enjoy in this story. I had several questions about the world of the book which went unanswered, but the story itself is well told and compelling. I am wondering if there is the opportunity for a sequel, but only the author can answer that!
This is a review of the 2019 Kindle edition.
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