Comments on: REVIEW: A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R.W. Day

By: Janine

Janine — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:57:18 +0000

Thanks for posting your thoughts, Matthew. For me, seven years (the length of the age gap) seems like a signifcant timespan for a sixteen year old — almost half of his life. I understand what you are saying, but I can only rely on my own responses to a book when writing reviews. I’m glad you enjoyed the book.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:01:45 +0000

I just finished reading this book on my Kindle, and am VERY happy to know that the sequel is on it’s way from R W Day. I also reviewed this book on Shelfari, and I’m not sure I share your misgivings about either the world building or the age difference.

About the age, I think you are looking at it from a modern perspective, where age of consent is a hard 18. In pioneer times, just like in Napoleonic Law, 12 was the age of consent. And I also point you to Europe and some states in the US, where adult hood IS 18, but the age of consent is 16. You can engage in relations with someone under 18 as long as they are over 16.

This is how I viewed the world of ASASF. They still had hang overs from the society that came before, but like a true pioneer world, they were moving back to an understanding that in a harsh world, people grow up fast. David is only 17 at the end of the book, but his actions have made clear to the towns folk he is an adult, and no one gainsays him that right.

Because he is young, they want to make sure he is truly ready, but once they understand, they accept his adulthood.

I just understand that view point. Living as I do now in New Zealand where a bit of that pioneer spirit still lives, as long as the parent’s don’t feel thier child is being abused, we all accept relationships between 16 year olds and people in there 20s

By: Janine

Janine — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:04:52 +0000

Mary, I hope you enjoy it too. Both covers are nice IMO.

By: Mary M.

Mary M. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:36:57 +0000

I’ve had this book on my WL for a while but haven’t bought it yet – I lean more towards contemporary and paranormal than futuristic fiction, as a rule, so there is always something else I’m more interested in reading than this book. But I’ll get there eventually. This cover is beautifully done but I liked the old one better, mostly because this one emphasizes how young the characters are when I prefer to read about characters that are 30-ish.

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:29:52 +0000

I hope you enjoy the book, CS.

By: cs

cs — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:07:54 +0000

I hate that gay fiction books are so pricey. However, your review sold me and will buy myself a Lethe copy when I get paid.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:29:14 +0000

I love both covers for this book. I wish more covers were along this style. I also loved the story and thought it was an evocative and vivid piece of world-building (I could just about feel the cold myself), and the love story is just lovely and romantic. I’m still hoping we’ll have the sequel soon.

By: Steve Berman

Steve Berman — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:09:40 +0000

Thank you, Janine, for reviewing this book. I’m really glad Lethe could bring the book back into print — part of Lethe’s mission to readers and writers.

By: Emmy

Emmy — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:17:03 +0000

I’ve got the Iris version on my keeper shelf, but I do like Anne Cain’s cover here *much* better. I’m glad other people got a second chance to read Becky’s wonderful book.

By: Janine

Janine — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:57:20 +0000

You’re welcome, DS.