The Urban dictionary defines a "Dark Horse" as one who exceeds expectations of all others in an event. This novel is aptly titled in that it exceeded all my expectations despite my having read and liked several other works by the same author.
In Kate Sherwood's Dark horse we begin a trilogy that initially feels as though we're in the last rather than the first of the three books.
Pushing 30 ex bad boy, Dan Wheeler is working as a horse trainer for the Archers, a man and wife, who have recently lost a son. Though Justin, their only son (and Dan's lover) is still breathing, he's in a persistent vegetative state as the result of an injury sustained while riding one of the family horses and the parents have decided that it's time they signed Justin's DNR order, leaving an inconsolable Dan out of the decision.
Enter Evan Kaminski, twenty something billionaire and his horse crazy sister Tatiana who make an offer to buy all of the horses that Dan and Justin have trained together over their time together. Accompanying Evan is HIS 40 something lover, Jeff Stevens.
As improbable as it sounds Jeff and Evan are drawn to Dan and despite all the obstacles a three way polyamorous relationship seems to be where the story is headed. What makes this novel different than most of the M/M fiction out there today is that it's so skillfully written that even this strange chain of events becomes not only possible but understandable and believable. The characters are well rounded and each is developed in such a way that you actually come to care about them. A host of issues are raised and dealt with sympathetically and skillfully and each credible development leads to the next credible event in such a way that, despite my prejudices, the outcome felt entirely realistic and satisfying.
I've always looked at sex as being of two types; sex, the sport and sex, the ultimate expression of a much deeper loving relationship. In that context, I've always felt that ménages of more than two only belonged in the sporting category. This book makes the case for a ménage that fits in the second category and makes it believable and even dare I say it natural. A truly polyamorous relationship.
Writing that is this good, that really poses a possibility that I'd already dismissed and then makes it credible without glaring plot disconnects, and that even finds time to explore the more mundane aspects of some of these events while still being captivating, far exceeds my usual standards for m/m fiction. This book transcends that scale and falls squarely within the standards I normally expect of top tier modern literature. Bravo on a book well done! I'm eagerly awaiting my next encounter with Dan Evan and Jeff in part 2 Out of the Darkness.
In Kate Sherwood's Dark horse we begin a trilogy that initially feels as though we're in the last rather than the first of the three books.
Pushing 30 ex bad boy, Dan Wheeler is working as a horse trainer for the Archers, a man and wife, who have recently lost a son. Though Justin, their only son (and Dan's lover) is still breathing, he's in a persistent vegetative state as the result of an injury sustained while riding one of the family horses and the parents have decided that it's time they signed Justin's DNR order, leaving an inconsolable Dan out of the decision.
Enter Evan Kaminski, twenty something billionaire and his horse crazy sister Tatiana who make an offer to buy all of the horses that Dan and Justin have trained together over their time together. Accompanying Evan is HIS 40 something lover, Jeff Stevens.
As improbable as it sounds Jeff and Evan are drawn to Dan and despite all the obstacles a three way polyamorous relationship seems to be where the story is headed. What makes this novel different than most of the M/M fiction out there today is that it's so skillfully written that even this strange chain of events becomes not only possible but understandable and believable. The characters are well rounded and each is developed in such a way that you actually come to care about them. A host of issues are raised and dealt with sympathetically and skillfully and each credible development leads to the next credible event in such a way that, despite my prejudices, the outcome felt entirely realistic and satisfying.
I've always looked at sex as being of two types; sex, the sport and sex, the ultimate expression of a much deeper loving relationship. In that context, I've always felt that ménages of more than two only belonged in the sporting category. This book makes the case for a ménage that fits in the second category and makes it believable and even dare I say it natural. A truly polyamorous relationship.
Writing that is this good, that really poses a possibility that I'd already dismissed and then makes it credible without glaring plot disconnects, and that even finds time to explore the more mundane aspects of some of these events while still being captivating, far exceeds my usual standards for m/m fiction. This book transcends that scale and falls squarely within the standards I normally expect of top tier modern literature. Bravo on a book well done! I'm eagerly awaiting my next encounter with Dan Evan and Jeff in part 2 Out of the Darkness.
Pretty emotional in some spots, but a good page turner.
