The Standing Dead in Queereaders

From the Bookshelf of Queereaders…

The Standing Dead

Ricardo Pinto

Why we're reading this: Epic fantasy with the 2 main characters being male lovers book 2
[close] Epic fantasy with the 2 main characters being male lovers book 2

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

May 16, 2018 Andrew Peters added it

Shelves: gay-fantasy

I continue to adore this series, and it occurs to me, this is may be the first gay fantasy series I've ever read; though I've read a ton of single titles. Somehow Samuel Delaney's Neveryon saga doesn't feel like it qualifies in the same way since those books jump around so much between storylines.

Pinto's trilogy feels truly epic in terms of the scale of the world and the intricacies of the adventure, and it's so utterly riveting that at the center of it all is a matter-of-fact gay character, who I continue to adore this series, and it occurs to me, this is may be the first gay fantasy series I've ever read; though I've read a ton of single titles. Somehow Samuel Delaney's Neveryon saga doesn't feel like it qualifies in the same way since those books jump around so much between storylines.

Pinto's trilogy feels truly epic in terms of the scale of the world and the intricacies of the adventure, and it's so utterly riveting that at the center of it all is a matter-of-fact gay character, who, by the way, is not in the traditional mold of an epic hero, like taking the archetypical straight male warrior (or wizard) and just throwing in that he's gay, not straight. That's a bit how I felt about Richard Morgan's Ringil in The Steel Remains (tho I also liked that book a lot).

But Carnelian is a fully-realized different kind of hero. His strongest trait is his compassion, and it's so strong he's practically self-less. He quickly volunteers for the most unglamorous communal duties of the tribe that takes him and his boyfriend Osidian in, after they escape from a treacherous plan to be done away with by The Chosen. Carnelian risks his life many times to protect the people he loves. And yes, he's sensitive and thwarted by his guilt that he may end up hurting other people. Most tragically, that guilt/compassion leaves him largely paralyzed while Osidian becomes the tyrannical monster he's destined to be. It tries the patience at times (why can't he act?!!), but I thought it was a realistic portrait of the inner conflict such a situation would engender. He and Osidian share a bond. It's in Carnelian's nature to be loyal.

My apologies that this is less of a review and more my stream of thoughts about the series. Others have summarized the story well. This middle installment takes Carnelian out of the grotesquely opulent world of The Chosen (Oskarum) and into the primitive backcountry of Earthsky, which has a decidedly Indigenous feel and much more appealing lifestyles and values. But there's little rest for Carnelian while he tries to figure out a way to stem Osidian's plans to exploit the Natives for his power-hungry purposes, and to protect his new family (and new love interest Fern) from enemies.

Of course, it ends on another cliffhanger, and I'm anxious to get to the last book! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review