Theediscerning's Reviews > Wrack & Rune

Rory gets into trouble when he tells his new boyfriend Tyson all about himself – not because his parents and alleged girlfriend think he's straight, but because he's one of a secret cabal of world-ruling magicians. Tyson is told his mind will have to be wiped of this awkward revelation to save him, and funnily enough doesn't like that. Rory's side determines the cover-up is to be maintained, at all cost…

Where this suffers is the fact that there's no real proof of the guys falling for each other – quite the opposite in fact, as they bicker about so much regarding this situation, and how evil Rory's side are. And this is vital, because of how determined Tyson is to stick on his path, and rely on Rory – it just never felt realistic or believable, with the relationship coming across like some cheap teenaged fling. Heck, if I was in Tyson's boat, being thrown around loft apartments by magic, I'd be a darned sight more fiery and emotional than he is, or I'd certainly want more connection already with the person imperilling me so.

No, fieriness is lacking here, in presentation and elsewhere – people saying they'll do anything necessary to get their way and then proceeding with the grittiness of a banana. It's Rory who has the emotion, but weeps his way into our bad books, as a result. This was an interesting story, but the characters weren't allowed to execute their place in the plot with any of the passion necessary to make it come alive for the reader. And the cliffhanger ending proves this a waste of our time.