Tami

3,5 stars.This is imo a space opera. It reminded me of the Sirantha Jax series and the works of Linnea Sinclair (although missing the humor I always found in Sinclair's books). Which I both liked very much.It was a carefully crafted story with a very intersting world building though the pieces of this world were not really original, but the interplay was quite unique.A very enthralling and well written novel with a very engaging main character.What it is not: a gay romance. Why only 3,5 stars? There were some things in the plot that I didn't like and it dragged a little (especially in the "esoteric" scenes) - but again, it was a very enjoyable read all around. Adam, the protagonist, is gay - this is not accepted in his genetically enhanced society. This plot twist doesn't make any sense whatsoever in my opinion. If a society has separated sex and procreation there is simply no reason to condemn homosexuality. Because then it is clearly only for recreational purposes. This didn't make sense for me, so I felt it a rather forced attempt to make the alternative/eco-friendly/natural/organic/free-spirited society which Adam encounters after he leaves home even more superior (because now morally also...). I also missed any kind of plausible growing attraction or feelings between Adam and his "love interest". At 66% they were suddenly having sex, the small moments when there was a glimpse before it was mostly in the context of drug consuming. Not a good twist in my mind also - because I don't believe that drugs really broaden the horizon, but ok. It should probably show the open-mindedness of the B'deshi (the people that adopt and heal Adam). So the romance part failed for me for the most part. Through out most of the book I had to fight the impression that the "gay thing" was not integral part of the story. But that was just my impression.It was also a bit too clcear in the good guys/bad guys separation - the b'deshi were a little too holy for me to be still human.