What an imagination. What a sexy, interesting, sci-fab book. Written by a fellow Aussie.
- Review by Kazza K
For the record I like spiders....not as in mate with them....but
I appreciate them. As a household we have a ‘no kill, safe spider removal’
policy. Or, we just live with them. After reading The Nourisher I’m so glad.
Drake Glauco is kidnapped, taken to another world, Priaxia, to be used as a nourisher; to help fertilise hatchlings for the repopulation of the planet. In doing all this he is thrust into the 8 arms of Vernon the incubator. That’s the basics of it. There is more. The species that have been nourishers on Priaxia have died off and humans can fill their role. Human nourishers take longer, but make good symbiotes. There are also political reasons behind what happens to Drake, and Drake and Vernon, as you discover upon reading the book. Much is to do with a treaty Drake has drawn up in his role as a lawyer on Earth. Certain alien races don't benefit as much as they would like and would prefer Drake was no longer...in that role.
I liked -
The humour – “Welcome home, Drake” the door chimed as I
passed my ident card over the reader. “Thanks,” I replied. I know the door
doesn’t give a toss whether or not I answered, but you know, it’s kind of a
habit of mine to do so. Egads, don’t I relate. I’m always talking to inanimate
objects.
Drake’s first person perspective – I couldn’t help but
realise the simple yet painfully obvious truth about my predicament. A naked human
in his late thirties was no match for any Priaxian.
Why was I here? What was an extraction ceremony? But more
importantly, why did I need to keep my strength up? Why indeed my dear Drake. Here's a hint - you'll like it :)
Drake. I liked his transition to a more open outlook or way
of seeing situations and relationships and image – I realised that my perfect
life, my beautiful house and my fantastic job meant absolutely nothing unless
it could be quantified by love. It didn’t matter who or what that love was, so
long as it bought us joy, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Vernon did
that for me. He completed me.
Vernon. He is beyond delightful - “I don’t make you happy?” His eyes flashed
hurt. I kissed him, tasting my own salt, before adding.“ Quite the opposite.
You make me feel important. You make me feel special.” He embraced me tighter. “You
make me feel like that, too.”
The world building is excellent – including descriptions of
the semi-arid, Priaxia with its two yellow suns and silk spun nests. Also event
horizons, space docking stations, and organic alien spaceships.
The ‘extraction ceremonies’ = sexy
Annaz VI – just read the beautiful ‘extraction ceremonies’
on that planet, complete with starfish *sigh* Vernon can change to aesthetically pleasing, sexually
stimulating images for Drake -
I smiled. I realised once more he had changed to
please me. He wasn’t smooth skinned anymore, thick black hair over his chest
and stomach. Oh, fuck how I wanted to run my hands through that manly hair to
discover the delight my actions would give him. “You like what you see, Drake,
my saviour?”
Vernon on Annaz VI. Oh. Yeah.
I liked the message that beauty comes from the heart, the soul, the spirit; and Vernon, the arachnid alien, had that in spades.
There were a few niggles, the editing was a bit loose, it was a tad frenetic at times. I would have loved more time in the beginning spent on Priaxia. However, it was such a delightful book, I guess I don’t really care. The likes far outweighed the ‘niggles.’
I read the blurb, thought it sounded interesting but put it
off for months. Thank goodness I picked it up and read it. The Nourisher really
is a feel good, warm, sweet, lovely story. I highly recommend this book for
those loving their M/M (M/spider?), with their sci-fi, romance, and adventure. I will now move on to book two.
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