3 out of 4 stars
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Rawmance by Wade C. Taylor is the second in the Samhain Shake series. Samhain Shake, or Shake, as he is more commonly known, is the narrator and main character. In this book, we follow Shake as he learns that he will soon be father to his second child. He has to share this news with his best friend and his family. This task is not as easy as it may seem because Warren, Shake’s best friend, still has feelings for Constance, the girl Shake has impregnated. Shake’s family ties are also strained, as his mother has passed away, and his father is distant, at best. Shake’s relationship with his first daughter, teenage Millie, is not typical. They spend time bonding by partying and doing drugs together.
Rawmance is a difficult novel to fit into one genre because it encompasses elements from several groups. While Amazon categorizes the book as contemporary fiction, romance, and young adult, I would argue that it doesn't have traditional teen elements, and the romance aspects take a backseat to other characteristics. For example, the language used and the focus on race gives it the feel of Urban Fiction. Additionally, the meditations on astrology, numerology, philosophy, and religion give the book a feel that is part metaphysical fiction.
Overall, it is a fairly quick read because of its short length and the author’s use of dialogue. The dialogue is my favorite part of the book. It really showcases the author’s excellent ability to select just the right words to convey depth and emotion. An excellent example of the author’s word choice is on page 36, when the narrator is describing the music he is listening to: “Nirvana's ‘Even In His Youth’ bled flames from my speakers in the corner. Kurt's voice swelled and lurched like the ragged blue tide crashing, splashing, fraying on the rock of his panic and conviction.” This quotation also provides a glimpse of one of the many fun pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book.
The dialogue is broken up by philosophical and metaphysical reflections and examinations. These sections slow the reading down, especially if the reader is not familiar with some of the finer details of the astrological signs and their houses. However, the author does a good job of giving explanations for concepts readers may not be familiar with. For example, in chapter three, Shake gives his girlfriend a brief lesson on numerology by explaining the vibrations of the letters in her name. This lesson also serves to educate the reader on the topic.
I had very few issues with the book. It was well-written, the technical aspects were solid, and the story was interesting. Though the length of the book made it quick to read, this may have also been a detriment. The story seems to just stop in the middle of the rising action. I speculate, though, that the author may have done this with the intent of creating additional books in the series. One other nit-picky detail is that there are double spaces after each period, which is very noticeable in the e-book.
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a book to read in just a few hours. People who are into astrology or discussions of religion would also like this book because there are several sections where the narrator speaks about both of these topics.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The author has an excellent use of diction, and his explanations are interesting and relatable. My chief complaint is that the plot of the book builtds up, but it seems to just stop before the climax. It's a well-written book; I just wish there was more of it!
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Rawmance
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