There were things I liked about this novel and things I didn't like. Likes:-I thought the historical aspect of the book was right on. Obviously there was a lot of research and everything about the time period flowed right.-The sex scenes were done nicely.-The characters were well-rounded.-Overall it's very well written.Dislikes:-The men cried a lot. I'm not fond of stories where at every turn the characters are crying or are on the verge of tears.-Almost every male was gay or at least bisexual. And some did very little to hide their sexuality. For the time period I wonder how reality based this was.-The witch hunters...I really didn't like this turn in the story. It felt out of place to me.-The fact that it was an m/m romance as stated on the cover, but most of the story was about the main characters being away from each other and having relationships with other men.All that being said, it is one of the better m/m books out there and I think for anyone who's a fan should give this one a go. As I have stated before, the writing is very good. The author tells a good story. And my issues are mainly preferences. My first ever romance so of course I got for a gay one. It could've been much better. When neither of your protagonists are all that likable, it's hard to root for the happy ending. Also, maybe it's historically accurate, maybe it's not, but all the thee's and thou's got really tiring. Also, I got soured on it because I happened across the kerfuffle about this genre about halfway through the book. Clearly I'm not going to be on the side that thinks that straight women writing gay erotica equates to fetishization, but I also take issue with a lot of the writers in this debate. Also, what's wrong with a little fetishization once in a while? It all comes back to that annoying fear of desire. Desire doesn't have to be a destructive thing unless we let it. And the best part of all these debates and articles about why straight women like this stuff is the fact that people forget that plenty of lesbians and bisexuals like it too. Now I've gone and ranted and it's been weeks since I read this. Mostly this book is a lesson in why I think I'll stick to fic.
What do You think about Transgressions (2009)?
I would not actually call this a "romance." What it is, is one hell of a fine historical novel.
—Tanya
Gay novel with the setting of the English Civil War.
—nzwolinski
decent. accurate. a good story. nothing too great.
—jjonas
