WA Hoffman - Wolves

Wolves is a romantic gay historical novel and the fourth and final volume of the Raised By Wolves series. Raised By Wolves chronicles the relationship between buccaneers Will and his beloved matelot, Gaston, during the infamous Henry Morgan raids against the Spanish Main in the late 1660's. In this volume, the men are challenged by Churches, buccaneer greed and ambition, wives and babies, and a king, while trying to resolve matters with Will's father.

Comment: This is the final volume in the Raised by Wolves saga written by author WA Hoffman. The story is divided into four volumes and this is the final part. Overall, I liked it but now that I've read everything there's a clear change in the tone and goal of each volume.

 

In this last volume, Will and Gaston face the final obstacle to their happiness, meaning, Will's father and influence. They have to find a way to protect their family and friends, run from enemies that only intend to capture no matter the price and hey also need to plan ahead what they have to do and how can they all live together in peace.

While facing challenges with people they thought were away for good returning, babies, women and friends doing things they never expected, can the guys live as peacefully as they wanted?

 

I had a great time reading this huge adventure. However, I can't help but notice the change from book to book, in particular from book #1 to the others. The first volume was carefree, was all about the main character's relationship and their friends. The rest of the story features family members, social expectations and rule the happenings in a way that the characters can't avoid completely. No one is truly ever free of all bonds...

 

In this final book the characters have concluded that the only for them all to live together in peace was to leave Jamaica where most of the action took place. Their destination was France, now that Gaston's father had forgiven him and vice-versa. But some issues with the Church made certain conflicts that prevented them to travel there. The goal was now to solve the problem that was Will's father in order for Will and Gaston not to have the weight of responsibility and fear for the family running after them. I understand this plot move and how that could have been possible then.

The fact this is set in the 17th century forbids them to do things any way they wanted and the biggest part of the conflicts come precisely from the historical setting issues. Nevertheless many situations seemed pretty contemporary if one thinks about it. I mean the relationships between many characters and how they had to shock social conventions.

 

At the same time my biggest personal issue with the story is how some things seemed impulsive, reckless and even made unimportant. It felt weird to read about certain social situations and not to think they should act differently. I think part of my problem is how free they seemed in the first book and then comparing to the other three books, despite the liberty they had in some things, it was harder to accept all the necessary demands of society in their lives. I'm sure it must have been almost impossible to live the kind of situations these characters went through as easily as they made look. Sure this is fiction in part but the author uses many bibliographic references to base her story in. This means there are many things that have to be close to real.

 

Part of the problem with this way of presenting a story is that when the fictional parts happen we always wonder how real and how unlikely they had to be.

Personally, it was more difficult to accept they could change ideas so quickly, namely when it came to love and relationships. This is a gay historical novel and many gay couples are sort of established in the beginning. In this book there are some changes in that area. Some seemed too radical and it makes me think how wrong or how unimportant they must have been when this started and that kind of makes me feel deceived because I wanted to believe in them, I wanted to see how honest they were to each other. I totally understand why change happened and why it went that path but at the same time, the romantic in me feels this side of fiction could have been different.

 

In the end, there's closure for Will and Gaston. they remain amazing characters, with a fantastic relationship based on conversation, honest feelings and understanding. I love them and I will miss reading more about them. The HEA seems a little too unlikely when one thinks about the social conventions and the political aspect, but thankfully they end up together and happy. I'm just glad they could win over all the problems and were allowed to keep their friends and family close. It does make me feel good they managed that even if unrealistically.

 

This book is a good finish but honestly some things are too in our face to be conveniently forgotten. I really hoped some characters would have different endings. Well, after all that has happened, they deserve their HEAs even if not like I would write them. Still, a great adventure, very complete in terms of historical data and costumes and something I'll cherish and re-read my favorite parts.

Grade: 8/10

WA Hoffman - Treasure

Gay buccaneer historical adventure/romance. The third novel in a series chronicling the adventures of Will, a disenchanted English Lord, and his beloved matelot/partner, Gaston, an exiled Frenchman, set among the buccaneers of Port Royal, Jamaica, in the 1660s. In this volume, the men ponder the true definition of sanity and the necessity of compromise in the name of love while contending with the arrival of Gaston's father, their potential inheritances, the political machinations of Will's father, Henry Morgan's ambition, a bounty upon their heads, unwanted brides, and an unexpected child.

Comment: This is the third volume of the Raised By Wolves story written by WA Hoffman. The story is divided into four volumes so readers can have it easy but this is not a series, it's just a huge story divided into four parts where each part, in a way, focus on some elements. I've loved the first volume and I couldn't let the rest of the story out, so...

 

In this third volume, the main issues are Gaston's father who came to visit and talk to his son and how the guys find out how much Will's father is aware of his steps in Jamaica and what he's been doing.

Of course there's a lot more going on, especially with other characters, but Will and Gaston keep on being the focus and the ones whose actions matter the most. Can they hold on to each other, their lives and friends and still battle those against them?

 

As it happened with the previous volumes, this one also met my expectations overall, but I do have to say this one seemed slightly weaker in terms of making the story enjoyable. I liked it yes, but there were some passages, some action moments where I had some more trouble focusing on it.

Obviously every reader has a preference and in this book's case, I have to confess I preferred the scenes where they had to deal with people, with their families, their friends...the last part of the book was set on the roving days and honestly I wasn't as engaged in that.

 

I keep on being marveled by how ingenious and clever the author was in creating those characters. She includes again a lengthy list of bibliography used to create the world on the page and I keep on being amazed by how much detail and facts were actually real. Even if one sets aside all romanticized scenes, the rest of the book would still be great just because of the atmosphere the author inserted.

 

The writing is to the point and always focused on what is happening, on what characters say. This is great because it doesn't give the idea the story is boring - even despite the not as fascinating moments.

But of course the best part is actually the way Will and Gaston make such a united couple. Despite their differences, their personal issues, they still talk and discuss things between them. I think this is the key to the success of their relationship, something other couples don't have. Or even if they did, just Will and Gaston being themselves is enough to make them different and more special than others, so any interaction they have has to be unique as well.

I really loved how they discussed things, how they thought about the other when dealing with trouble or problems. If nothing else mattered, I still thing their love would always be enough to carry them further.

 

The plot issues continue to happen in ways not always predictable. I mean of course we imagine some confrontation to Will's father has to happen at some point but some actions aren't as obvious as that in the whole process.

I think the author is using  a much more positive approach to everything, considering the laws and ways of life in the 17th century, but every fictional book is part imagination and fantasy, so... nevertheless, some things improve the story for its difference but there are other elements I find a bit too much in terms of drama. I guess we always need balance and that these books have been, but there are always things we'd do different or wish were different.

 

All in all, another great volume, I loved many scenes and things that happened. I do have high hopes for the fourth and last volume and I do hope they get a believable but still romantic HEA at the end.

As for this one, it's a nice continuation of what we've seen and it does give the reader a nice setting for what is to come.

I do recommend the whole story to anyone who likes gay stories and detailed historical settings.

Grade: 8/10

W.A. Hoffman - Matelots

Wherein, we follow the continuing adventures of the buccaneer Will and his beloved matelot Gaston as they contend with unexpected brides, the need for an heir, misunderstandings with the French, and Henry Morgan’s ambitions against the Spanish.
Conflicts arise, as Will, former libertine and duelist, haphazard philanthropist and philosopher, negotiates an ever-trickier path betwixt the requirements of his remaining the Viscount of Marsdale and his commitment to his matelot.
Amidst this, Gaston, exiled French nobleman, physician, renowned buccaneer and madman, must learn to control his madness before it destroys them both.
Together, they discover how to nurture love and passion in the face of war, tradition, and the demons of their pasts.
Buccaneer adventure/romance. The second of a series chronicling the relationship between an emotionally wounded and disenchanted English lord and an insane and lonely French exile, set among the buccaneers of Port Royal, Jamaica, in 1667.

Comment: Following my huge appreciation of the first volume in this epic story, I couldn't wait to keep reading about Will and Gaston and their adventures in the 17th century and how their relationship progressed at the same time they had to face new challenges and personal issues.

In this second volume, Will and Gaston have to deal with the problems in their relationship, not only those that happen because of their own personal issues, but also the fact they have duties to fulfill. They also have to plan for the future and face new people coming into their lives and what that means for them and their life in Jamaica.

After setting a powerful relationship in the first volume that was well respected by their fellow buccaneers, Will and Gaston still have their heritages to deal with and the fact they want a family. But things aren't simple and if not for the help of good friends all the surprises in this story wouldn't be easy to overcome...

Once more I dazzled by the amount of research the author certainly did to provide a strong and well structured story. Of course, the fictional part keeps as well engineered as I expected and here's a good example of talent leading the work.

Although this volume has some situations in terms of plot I think weren't as successfully introduced, I still liked the story a lot.

This story keeps up right after what happened in the first book. In fact, this is an epic story divided into four volumes and like the author said, it's not a series exactly.

There are several things Will and Gaston have to deal, from houses to furnish, to people to take care of and even other duties as planter owners concerning slaves and servants. Will is against this, but there's not much he can do if he wants to keep control of things. Just to give a reminder, Will the heir to a title in England and what he can do comes from that family line and the significance of what that means in terms of money, influence and power. So Will does things in a way to still be free but being able to help others as well.

In this book, we see Gaston and Will talking about a wife, because they consider themselves a family - and they are one! - but marrying and having children is the safest way to secure his title and what comes with it, and despite Will's reluctance, Gaston sees the need of a wife in order for them to also have children. This situation doesn't come without setbacks and challenges though. I think this whole aspect of the story is a necessity because this isn't a conventional romance. This is a love story set in a time where society was very different. 

Nevertheless, for plot purposes it's a necessity as well as a realistic way of portraying what surely happened in those days for people like Gaston and Will who saw themselves in that situation. For me, as reader, this means facing things I think are annoying for Will and Gaston's relationship. I feared how this would affect them, but they keep steady and sure of what they mean for each other, so, as long as this remains true, everything else I think was cleverly done and allowed the story to move forward.

There are more situations that are addressed and valuable for the feelings it evokes and makes possible to see and think about. I'm thinking about Will's challenges to the things he has in his charge, both the people and the assets.

But the the main issue that certainly made more readers think and (maybe) be disappointed in was a certain relationship that seemed settled and now something happened to disturb the peace. I'm talking about a matelot couple who also considers a wife in their middle. Things aren't as simple as this but I don't want to ruin the story. Let it just be said that one of the elements isn't much in favor and angst arises because of this. Things work out in the end though. But I don't think the way it worked out in the end is consensual to all readers based on the premise of what a matelot relationship is. Personally I'll keep waiting to see what happens and how things are really affected by this.

A lot of the beauty and strength of these books are set on the gay/matelot relationships. But I think it's important to keep in mind that many of those relationships weren't between two gay people, that circumstances made things that way an despite this not erasing the validity of such relationships and the feelings involved, there's also the need to say sometimes the couples were together first for safety and "working" reasons and emotional later on.

 I was really impressed by this novel. I think some aspects weren't as well conductive to make this perfect, but I can understand where this is all going and how, romance apart, the author tried to maintain a healthy dose of reality to the surroundings of everything.

Will and Gaston and the wife make a strange relationship. Hopefully things will change in the following book. Although, I do confess, as they aren't as deeply involved in the relationship, I also didn't feel that way. I foresee changes for them on this level.

All in all, this wonderfully set story has a lot to offer. I think the author must feel very happy with the way her work has come together. I can't wait to read the next volumes and see how Will and Gaston's story ends.

Grade: 8/10

W. A. Hoffman - Brethren

John Williams, the Viscount of Marsdale, libertine, duelist, dilettante, haphazard philanthropist and philosopher, is asked by his estranged father to start a plantation in Jamaica in 1667. He doesn't realize that he is going to the right island for the wrong reasons until he meets buccaneers and learns he has far more in common with the wild Brethren of the Coast than he does with the nobility of Christendom. Still, he questions joining them and leaving his title and the plantation behind, until he meets Gaston the Ghoul, a mysterious French buccaneer who is purportedly mad. He quickly decides that the freedom of the buccaneer life and even the mere chance of love that a man such as Gaston might offer are better than anything he could ever inherit. But even though Gaston seems intrigued by him, can the crazy Frenchman ever love him?

Comment: I got this book a long time ago. I thought it wouldn't be as interesting as that, although I did see many good reviews about it. Nevertheless, I left the poor book alone for a long time, always delaying its reading. This month I decided it was a long time coming and I had to read it.

This is the story of John William Marsdale, he's the heir to an earldom but something in his younger years sent him away from home, and he traveled the continent going to several places like Italy, Austria and France. He always knew he was fond of men more than women and in his travels he got to be all the characters he wouldn't be able to in his home country. Still, after 10 years away, he sees himself in trouble and decided it's time to go back, although his father might not want to see him anymore. However, as soon as he arrives he sees some changes to the life he knew and his father makes him an offer he actually accepts...

I really, absolutely loved this book! It's ore than 500 pages and I loved every minute I spent reading. This is a story of adventures and how people can grow up and see themselves for who they really are instead of just following conventions.

The story revolves around the buccaneers of the 17th century, a sort of pirates that had their own rules and goals. I thought the author's investigation was very complete and interesting and I enjoyed learning the many facts pertaining this group's existence. The author also leaves a lengthy list at the end of the book about her source of information.
Buccaneers were more than just pirates though. Many of those men had real relationships and for more than just handy excuses. I was very fascinated with all of this and how things happened in those days, specially in a part of the world I admit I don't have much knowledge of, except the most basic things, like it was the Caribbean islands in a century way, way distant from paradise vacations like it is nowadays. I liked the factual and history lessons quite a lot and as everything was included in the storyline and not dumped just because it made its reading much more interesting and thoughtful.

The fictional part is the history of John Marsdale, mostly known as Will, and how h travels to Jamaica to oversee his father new plantation. There he gets to meet several people and ways of life very different from the prim England society and he gets to develop his person with those people and with more freedom. He also meets Gaston, a French buccaneer he feels not only physically attracted to but also intellectually, because Gaston is intelligent and apparently shares Will's birthright and childhood experiences. The two guys have a lot in common and one of the most focal points in the story is how each one develops his own personality by being with the other and how together they manage to have a relationship based on trust, love, confidentiality, shared knowledge, philosophical thoughts and beliefs. I liked each one of them a lot and even more so when they act like a couple.
The guy's relationship isn't easy or carnal; it's more a meeting of minds and deep respect by what the other feels and thinks. I was very impressed with the level of character development in this story, the author was very smart and precise in depicting the most important facts to this story. I'm sure there's more to come, considering there are three more installments with a huge page count as well. By the way, I can't wait to have them!

This book was a constant source of emotions, of things happening which made possible for the reader to know those characters well and to want to see them have some happiness. There were many scenes to make us think, many ideas to wonder about and I can say this boo isn't basic. This is a thoughtful, well researched and intelligent story told with a purpose and to make the reader care and to think about what was happening and why the characters behaved in a way or said certain things.

I enjoyed this a lot and I wouldn't change much, just a little detail here and there more for personal taste than textual necessity. I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys historicals, interesting character development and of course, a romantic story full of special scenes to warm up your heart.
Grade: 9/10