Reviewed by Sid

TITLE: Moonlight Becomes Him

AUTHOR: Alex Younger

PUBLISHER: Torquere Press

LENGTH: 19 pages

BLURB: Markus always admired his mentor, Nicodemus. Over his two years as an apprentice physician, Markus’ admiration has grown into something deeper, but he has never been brave enough to admit it. One summer evening, a ragged man comes to the clinic claiming he is cursed. During the treatment, chaos breaks loose as the patient attacks them. Fear of losing the man he loves makes Markus doubt his ability, but there’s no time for hesitation if he wants to save the badly-injured Nicodemus.

REVIEW:

You know how a balloon is, right? It requires the right amount of air being blown into it. If it is over-blown, it bursts throwing it into tattered pieces. “Moonlight Becomes Him” was exactly like that – a lot was happening in 19 pages and the mess was all over.

Markus is a trainee physician working under Nicodemus, on whom he has had a secret crush on for a long time. He not only admires him for his looks, but looks up to him for his knowledge or for what all he has achieved in life thus far. He has come to believe that there’s no problem in this world that Nicodemus can’t solve.

It is one terrible night that changes their lives forever when a patient in torn clothes appears at their doorstep looking scared, begging for help. He says that he is cursed and from his symptoms, Nicodemus is quick to realize what the problem is. Now only if he could find the true cure for before the danger that has walked through their door victimizes them.

The concept was unique and I loved the action scenes but that is the only appeal of the book. This could have been so much better if the execution had been handled well. Also, I personally felt no chemistry at all between Markus and Nico. We get hints of the former’s feelings but it is very rare and gets hidden between the exciting scenes of a werewolf chasing them around.

And the ending was disappointing. Don’t get me wrong – The characters do survive, and they do have a (silent) moment at the end. But that is wrapped up in couple of sentences and seems rushed.

This story doesn’t suit as a “Sip”. If it had been a novel, or even a novella, I would have enjoyed it more. That said, I would be looking out for more from this author for sure because I could see some strong potential at creativity here.

Rating:

BUY LINKS: Torquere Press