Book Title: Rampant
Author: Eric Del Carlo
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://www.loose-id.net/
ISBN: 978-1-59632-705-4
Genre: LGBT Fantasy
Nymph Rating: 4.5 nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Woodland Nymph
20 year old Wyst is in splendid shape; he’s young, vigorous has an active sex life and is happy with his life in Village. The Hex is a mysterious, powerful “goddess” who influences the lives and deaths of the villagers. Tradition forbade contact with the Hex and intimacy with her meant banishment from Village or death. Lured by the Hex to her grotto she tells him in a mystical almost musical voice that a plague is coming and imparts him with a cryptic message about a cure. Soon after returning, the villagers discover the Hex’s mark on Wyst and give him the choice; Wyst chooses banishment from Village and finds himself heading out on the Road of the Gleam which leads to City.
With nowhere to go when he arrives in City, Wyst is eventually provided a temporary respite, courtesy of Niîn a former villager himself, then spends the night huddled in an alcove, out of the rain. During his first morning in City, he meets an exterminator, Gâmomal, and Wyst realizes he knew his father. Surprised at how much they’re attracted to each other, they quickly head to Gâmomal’s place and act upon their desires. Wyst readily agrees when Gâmomal asks him to stay and leaves him a spare key to his apartment.
After Gâmomal returns to work, Wyst goes out exploring and when a man falls dead in the street, a police officer asks him to carry the body where he’d be paid upon delivery. Wyst realizes he’s found work he can do then signs on to collect the dead. In the meantime, Gâmomal is happy and relieved to find Wyst still at his apartment when he returns at the end of his day.
Soon Wyst is having more than just warm thoughts towards Gâmomal as he realizes he truly cares for this man and that his feelings towards him are deepening. Gâmomal’s feelings towards him are more important to him than any other individual’s had ever been. When made available, together they go to the hospital to be tested for the illness and hold each other’s hand as they wait.
Rampant is a moving and thought-provoking story about more than just two men falling in love under some of the bleakest circumstances. Eric Del Carlo has created two extraordinary male leads as well as several fascinating and unusual supporting characters then placed them in what at times can be a dark and cruel world. Wyst is, at times, like an innocent placed in the middle of a strange new world and Gâmomal is the knowledgeable City man who’s presented with a rare opportunity to learn more about his father. These two characters balance each other perfectly.
At the end of this book I was left with a feeling of hope not only for Wyst and Gâmomal but for humanity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a poignant read.
Author: Eric Del Carlo
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher URL: http://www.loose-id.net/
ISBN: 978-1-59632-705-4
Genre: LGBT Fantasy
Nymph Rating: 4.5 nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Woodland Nymph
20 year old Wyst is in splendid shape; he’s young, vigorous has an active sex life and is happy with his life in Village. The Hex is a mysterious, powerful “goddess” who influences the lives and deaths of the villagers. Tradition forbade contact with the Hex and intimacy with her meant banishment from Village or death. Lured by the Hex to her grotto she tells him in a mystical almost musical voice that a plague is coming and imparts him with a cryptic message about a cure. Soon after returning, the villagers discover the Hex’s mark on Wyst and give him the choice; Wyst chooses banishment from Village and finds himself heading out on the Road of the Gleam which leads to City.
With nowhere to go when he arrives in City, Wyst is eventually provided a temporary respite, courtesy of Niîn a former villager himself, then spends the night huddled in an alcove, out of the rain. During his first morning in City, he meets an exterminator, Gâmomal, and Wyst realizes he knew his father. Surprised at how much they’re attracted to each other, they quickly head to Gâmomal’s place and act upon their desires. Wyst readily agrees when Gâmomal asks him to stay and leaves him a spare key to his apartment.
After Gâmomal returns to work, Wyst goes out exploring and when a man falls dead in the street, a police officer asks him to carry the body where he’d be paid upon delivery. Wyst realizes he’s found work he can do then signs on to collect the dead. In the meantime, Gâmomal is happy and relieved to find Wyst still at his apartment when he returns at the end of his day.
Soon Wyst is having more than just warm thoughts towards Gâmomal as he realizes he truly cares for this man and that his feelings towards him are deepening. Gâmomal’s feelings towards him are more important to him than any other individual’s had ever been. When made available, together they go to the hospital to be tested for the illness and hold each other’s hand as they wait.
Rampant is a moving and thought-provoking story about more than just two men falling in love under some of the bleakest circumstances. Eric Del Carlo has created two extraordinary male leads as well as several fascinating and unusual supporting characters then placed them in what at times can be a dark and cruel world. Wyst is, at times, like an innocent placed in the middle of a strange new world and Gâmomal is the knowledgeable City man who’s presented with a rare opportunity to learn more about his father. These two characters balance each other perfectly.
At the end of this book I was left with a feeling of hope not only for Wyst and Gâmomal but for humanity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a poignant read.
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