Elaine White's Life in Books

Book – Boots
Author – Angel Martinez
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 90

Cover – Perfect!
POV – 3rd person, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes.

Genre – LGBT, Romance, Fairytale-Retelling, Paranormal, Supernatural


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


This was a lovely, really cute retelling of Puss in Boots. However, I want to get the bad points out the way quickly – there was no sense of time (historical/contemporary or year) and no sense of origin. All we has the brewery and the name of the MC's family to suggest his heritage, though it often slipped in. The same can be said for Kasha, because there were hints that he was a demon, a kind of God like creature, but also with a Japanese background that wasn't properly explained. The story also ended at 94%, which felt good for the story and plot, but left me feeling just a touch cheated for not having more to read.

However, I enjoyed the other aspects of the story and pushed these aside without problem. It's just a niggle that bothers me, since I'm detail-orientated. I don't think it helped that I'm from the UK and had no historical context to place the mining crisis, mentioned in the Author's Note.

There is a hint of a Dom/sub relationship between the MC's that was dealt with nicely; gentle, not too hard core. The Master/slave relationship was much more subtle and less solid, because of Willem's disinterest in being a 'Master'.

Kasha, the cat character, was adorable, feisty and definitely a feline in nature. Their portrayal was brilliantly spot on and always interesting to read. I never got bored or thought the character predictable, though there were risks there, with this being a fairytale retelling. I found the whole concept of the story highly original, especially from the characterisation point of view.

Willem as just as interesting; newly homeless, with his father having just died and his boyfriend having cheated on him and moved the new lover into their apartment. His life is in the pits, when we begin the story, and it only gets better and better as Kasha settles into his lief as his cat and nighttime human lover.

As for Joey, well let's just say that I most definitely approved of Kasha's solution and loved how that resolved itself. Brilliantly done.

~

Overall, it was a fantastic story, an original retelling and will definitely be something I read again. I'm a fan of Martinez' writing and this one didn't disappoint. From the characters to the plot and the level of craftsmanship that it required to make this plot believeable and the characters relatable, it's five stars all over.

~

Favourite Quote

““Hey, you all right, babe?”
“I'm shattered,” Kasha whispered against his throat. “Nothing but a kaleidoscope of jagged pieces.”
“Did I–?”
Kasha put a finger over his lips to shush him. “You are not a stud, my dear Willem. You are a god.”
Willem grinned and tipped Kasha's head up for a tender kiss. “A little over the top, there. But I'll take it.””

““Eat your peas and I'll even pay attention when you show me your new shoes later.”
He whispered in Willem's ear, “It's a new pair of boots.”
“Oh.” Willem's heart beat a little faster against Yorukaze's palm. “Maybe you could model them for me, then?”
“With pleasure.”
“And maybe you could keep them on when I take you to bed?”
“My dear Willem, what else is a good pair of boots for?””