2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Whipping Boy by Jordan Brewer (244-08-02-2016)

[reviews_and_ramblings]

1) The world the author depicts in this story is not a nice place, and I did find some of the scenes difficult to read because of it. The author doesn’t shy away from the brutality and consequences of this world but I think it made for a stronger story. The characters are very likeable—I particularly liked Amberlyn, Gabriel’s sister, and some of the minor characters really came into their own toward the end of the story. The peril also felt very real. I sat up very late to finish the story as I was worried that some of the characters wouldn’t survive. I thought the ending was realistic as a traditional HEA wouldn’t have worked and it would have taken away from the rest of the story.

2) Once I started reading this, I was sucked so deep into the story I didn't even look up once. Some of it hit me so hard I actually started sobbing!

Whipping Boy by Jordan Brewer
Gay Sci-fi / Futuristic
Publication Date: April 13, 2016
Amazon Kindle: Whipping Boy

Prince Marc Vincent of Kentuckiana is being torn in two. His father the king is dying, and Marc’s legacy is a war ravaged economy, a soul-weary populace who blames his family for their troubles, and a rising tide in favor of a theocracy.

Bishop Waysmith, Marc’s implacable enemy, runs the Church of Jesus Christ Purified with an iron hand. He’s intent on installing Marc’s uncle, Duke Roberts, on the throne. But he can only do that if he can prove Marc unfit for succession.

Marc’s survived assassination so far, thanks to his Companion and lover, Gabriel Shea, and his dedicated guards. Homosexuality is a capital offense, and if the bishop obtains evidence of the affair between Marc and Gabriel, Marc would lose the throne. And since royalty’s person is inviolate, any physical punishment must fall on the Prince’s Companion… and Gabriel would lose his life.

To survive, Marc and Gabriel must expose the church as corrupt, or prevent the secret of Marc’s sexuality from being revealed…even if it means abandoning his relationship with Gabriel, if Prince Marc really has to give up all chance at love to save his people.
WARNING: This is not a BDSM book. Whipping Boy is used in its classic sense as a discipline surrogate for a royal personage. Contains graphic descriptions of gay and heterosexual sex as well as depictions of torture. Presents organized religion in an unflattering light. For mature readers only.

Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2016.html