Customer Reviews

Matelots: Raised By Wolves, Volume Two

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Usually, the second book in a series doesn't hold up to the calibur of the first. Hoffman, however, delivers in spades. Matelots is equal to, if not better than, Brethren: Raised by Wolves. Hoffman makes exceptional use of language to put the reader in the time period without burdening us with difficult to read passages. The old-fashioned phrasing used by the characters could have been awkward, but is heart-felt and realistic here. Secondary characters take a bigger part in this story, especially Gaston, making the dialog even more important. The author cleverly shows the "evolution" of buccaneers into pirates and how the term "mate" derived from matelot to be more encompassing (much to the disgust of a few characters!). Whether this is historically accurate is irrelevant; it gives the reader something to grab onto in the story to connect them with what we *think* we know about pirates and who the buccaneers actually were. The pacing of the book is excellent and there is a lot of action, but the focus is the evolving relationship between Gaston and Will.

At the end of Brethren, we saw that Will and Gaston had grown to love one another, but there are more obstacles in their way than sexual preference. Gaston and Will both have personal demons that threaten to destroy them from within. Gaston does suffer some mental illness which is exacerbated by the horrors in his past and his fear of hurting Will. Will has been damaged both physically and mentally by the cruelty Shane inflicted on him. Add to this Will's father scheming to have Will marry and produce an heir, Gaston's dangerous jealousy over potential brides, the consequences of their encounter with Doucette, and the dangers of their lifestyle and these two have a lot to overcome.

I cannot recommend these two books enough! They are wonderful stories with depth and power that will keep a reader up long past their bedtime to finish. This is historical fiction at its best. Volume 3 "Raised by Wolves: Treasure" is due in Spring 2008, and Volume 4 "Raised by Wolves: Wolves" in Spring 2009. I hate waiting!!

You know how sometimes the following books in a series just aren't as good as the first one? Yeah... forget that. This one rocks!

The adventures and soul explorations of Will and Gaston continue in book two much to the satisfaction of this reader, with plot twists and insights and all the things you've come to love from book one and then some. The ending to book two is **fantastic** (no, don't skip ahead!), and things that you had hoped would happen happen, as well as things you never saw coming.

I highly, highly recommend this book as well as its predecessor, Brethren (Raised by Wolves book one). This is easily my favorite series of all time. These are the type of novels that speak to your soul of what it means to be human. I can't recommend them enough!!

As a forewarning, if you love vol 1, you should not start this unless you have uninterrupted time to finish it, as I did so in 1.5 days. Like its prequel, "Matelots" is truly captivating. I am under its spell from page one as Will's distinctive and vivid narration easily draws me into the arousing and deeply touching world of the buccaneers and their matelots.
Will and Gaston is of course the main focus as each man battles his ghosts and haunted past. The ensuing anger, pain and madness is one emotional ride which only their unwaveringly steadfast love for each other could overcome. Their story is powerfully stirring and deeply emotional as it is told with such passion and intensity.
Vol 2 also breathes life into most of the side characters introduced in vol 1 as their stories are entwined with that of Will and Gaston. However, the writer has done an injustice in this second volume, by forcing a female into Striker's and Pete's relationship. My heart goes out to poor Pete. Is the writer trying to create angst in her story ? But Striker's change of heart is really sad and disheartening. I do not favor M/M/F and hate this change in Pete's and Striker's relationship. However as Pete and Striker are not the main characters I will not mark the book down but this really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Lastly with the appearance of Alonso, there is much more installed.
Matelots is not merely a historical gay romance. Hoffman has given us a truly magnificent epic, at its core one mesmerizing love story. And now to wait most patiently for Wolves:Raised by Wolves.

There are so many rave reviews that it is hard to add to what has been said. Aside from the incredible story of buccaneers,the love & loss of matelots, the arrival & marriange of Will's sister (plus more) - stands a love. A love that knows no bounds! A love that conquers personal demons of rape, physical & mental abuse, manipulations of other people in the lives of Gaston & Will. A strength of love that will beat all odds of survival, will beat all adversaries, will defeat all others who want them, and I hope a love that will ultimately defeat & destroy Will's father & Shane. A strength of love that Will gave to Gaston; which then allowed Gaston to be Will's bulwark when Will's demons came! This is a love that leaves all others jealous and gasping in the shadows for even a morsel of what Gaston & Will mean to each other. We also discover & explore with Gaston & Will a little D/s. Hoffman takes the time to unravel the darkness & depths of their despair & abuse in order to bring Gaston & Will to perfect bliss again & again. This story left me breathless & wanting more.

"Matelots: Raised by Wolves" is the sequel to "Bethren," both by W.A. Hoffman. In Matelots, W.A. Hoffman further develops and explores the relationship between not only Will and Gaston, but the other Matelots as well. It is one of the few sequels I have read that is as good as, if not better, than its predecessor.

In it, W.A. Hoffman bravely explores all aspects of the relationship between Will and Gaston, using her always keen and flawless writing to examine the complex emotional, sexual and psychological development of her two main characters. She makes choices that are not easy, but honest, and as a result, while perhaps somewhat darker than "Brethren," "Matelots" proves to be an even more intense and satisfying read.

She also further develops the political and social landscape of Jamaica in the 1600s, and does it in such a way that the reader can envision themselves living on that island during that time. More characters are introduced, dynamics are changed, and small threads she introduced in Brethren take center stage. W.A. Hoffman is an expert as foreshadowing, and with all the groundwork she has laid down in this book, I can't wait to see where she next takes this story.

But central to it all is the relationship of Will and Gaston. They are an extremely complicated and likeable pairing, well matched, and it is always fascinating to seem them interact with each other as well as the world around them. But as always, their love is central to it all, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series to see where she will take not only them, but the rest of the Brethren as well. And I have no doubt the next chapter in the story of their lives will be just as intense, interesting, complex and passionate.

Will, otherwise the Viscount Marsdale, and Gaston his matelot, deepen their love for one another as they contend with the new problems that confront them. Not least of these is that Will is expected to take a wife and produce a son and so continue the family line if he is to inherit as his father's heir. Gaston's feelings on this are mixed to say the least.
Henry Morgan has plans for lucrative raids, but Will has doubts about the admiral's true intent. They also have to cope with the many new recruits who need training in the ways of the Brethren, as well as the fickle French with whom they plan to battle against the Spanish.
Striker and Pete have issues of their own to deal with. We also see relationships between some of the other buccaneers nurtured and blossom; while others prove themselves less faithful to their former friends.
The overriding theme though is the relationship between Will and Gaston. Gaston's madness is an ever present threat, and in addition there are new developments to test their devotion. As they struggle to find ways to address these issues, and develop powerful metaphors to help understand them, they appear to grow even closer. They also strive to find ways to address the problems of the physical aspect of their relationship. But it is the time they spend in conversation together that is their strength, and it is this aspect of the book that makes the story rather intense at times, such that, while I was keen to know the next development, I felt I needed frequent breaks while reading, (this is by no means meant as a negative comment).
The descriptions of places and events add much colour to the story, and a quick search with Goggle and Goggle maps confirmed the accuracy here.
An enthralling read, I very much enjoyed this second part of Raised By Wolves; I now very much look forward to the third volume in the series.

I remember falling in love with Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson as a kid and wishing for an adult version ever since. This series fulfills that nostalgic longing for a well-researched, emotionally complex, and sexually explicit m/m-centric pirate romp. The plot turns are immensely entertaining and the personalities equally engaging. I was riveted by the central love story as the author skillfully relates every nuance of their painful pasts and developing relationship. I especially enjoyed the battle scenes and the generous descriptions of the heroes' and fellow bucaneers' combat prowess. The political subtext of the bucaneers as freeman carving out a life independent of empire is inspiring too. I hope that you enjoy this series as much as I do.

Usually, the second book in a series doesn't hold up to the calibur of the first. Hoffman, however, delivers in spades. Matelots is equal to, if not better than, Brethren: Raised By Wolves, Volume One. Hoffman makes exceptional use of language to put the reader in the time period without burdening us with difficult to read passages. The old-fashioned phrasing used by the characters could have been awkward, but is heart-felt and realistic here. Secondary characters take a bigger part in this story, especially Gaston, making the dialog even more important. The author cleverly shows the "evolution" of buccaneers into pirates and how the term "mate" derived from matelot to be more encompassing (much to the disgust of a few characters!). Whether this is historically accurate is irrelevant; it gives the reader something to grab onto in the story to connect them with what we *think* we know about pirates and who the buccaneers actually were. The pacing of the book is excellent and there is a lot of action, but the focus is the evolving relationship between Gaston and Will.

At the end of Brethren, we saw that Will and Gaston had grown to love one another, but there are more obstacles in their way than sexual preference. Gaston and Will both have personal demons that threaten to destroy them from within. Gaston does suffer some mental illness which is exacerbated by the horrors in his past and his fear of hurting Will. Will has been damaged both physically and mentally by the cruelty Shane inflicted on him. Add to this Will's father scheming to have Will marry and produce an heir, Gaston's dangerous jealousy over potential brides, the consequences of their encounter with Doucette, and the dangers of their lifestyle and these two have a lot to overcome.

I cannot recommend these two books enough! They are wonderful stories with depth and power that will keep a reader up long past their bedtime to finish. This is historical fiction at its best. Volume 3 "Raised by Wolves: Treasure" is due in Spring 2008, and Volume 4 "Raised by Wolves: Wolves" in Spring 2009. I hate waiting!!

Hoffman delivers on this second book in the Raised by Wolves series. The book picks up right where it left off in Brethren: Raised By Wolves, Volume One. I was excited and totally satisfied in reading more in the saga of Gaston and Will. The fact that there is a major story going on with romance scattered throughout the book makes it a fun read.

I personally can't wait for Book 3 to come out. I'll be first in line!

This follow-up to Brethren: Raised By Wolves is full of plot twists, which make it more difficult to put down than its predecessor.