Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Sequestered Hearts
AUTHOR: Michael Kudo
PUBLISHER: Michael Kudo Books
LENGTH: 218 Pages
BLURB:
After the Riots at Stonewall, a major political movement took place which resulted in Gays/Lesbians becoming slaves.
Colton Taylor was born with every advantage – except parents who are there for him. His father and mother are constantly absent because they’re too busy keeping up on the family business, and when they are around they nitpick at him and make him feel like he’s only a tool to further their legacy.
Colton has no problems with the slaves his family owns. He doesn’t care if they’re gay or lesbian; to him they’re just people. One day he meets an interesting slave named Oliver, and the two hit it off. Eventually they start hanging out (in secret) and a relationship blossoms.
Colton knows if his father was to ever find out it would spell trouble but he can’t stay away from the only person who makes him feel special and loved. Even if it means giving up everything he has. Because love is all that matters. And it always finds a way.
REVIEW:
So, this book was different. I have to say, I was intrigued with the premise behind the story. That after Stonewall there was a civil war between LGBTQI community and the Hetero community. The LGBTQI community fights and they fight hard, however, they are outmanned and outgunned and they lose. Now, anyone who is gay is sent into slavery. What a wonderful back story into this book and I was really ready to get into this book.
Colton is a young man who is at odds with his parents. He’s the only child of parents who have kept the family legacy going and really didn’t have the time for him. Colton’s only real friend is the young slave who is a bit older than him. Colton is going through some things. He is unhappy and just listless. Colton’s young…like 19 years old and he’s lived such a sheltered life and is just trying to figure out who he is and what will make him happy.
Oliver…here’s a guy whose life is as honest as he could possibly make it. He’s honest about who he is. Even with all the crap that he has to put up with and believe me…it’s total bullshit, he’s still just his really great guy. I liked that he is such an honest character when it comes to his feelings for Colton. I liked Oliver’s strength and his determination to be with Colton. Oliver is a really good match for Colton. He’s older and so much more in tune with himself and knows his own mind, which goes nicely as Colton is young and confused. Oliver is a great man and I truly hope that with all that he’s endured thus far…that his life truly gets better.
Ok, now let me just say that this book was like…DAMN!! To hear what they did to these people….it was just awful!! My heart broke. I couldn’t believe that again…people were being thrown into slavery for being nothing other than who they were. I wanted to scream I was so damn upset. There is a bit of violence that is off screen, however, when it’s mentioned…it just killed me.
This story had a fair bit of what the hell. I mean that in the sense that I had to realize that this is a young man and the world that they are living in…hell…it even felt possible. That horribleness, the hopelessness that everyone feels in this story is just heart wrenching.
I’m not really sure how I feel about this story. The way that it ended, it was truly an HFN. I hope that these guys find their happiness. After all that they went through…I hope they find it. I also hope that this horrible thing…this slavery thing…goes away. For that alone…it hurt my heart and has kept this story in my mind’s eye.
RATING: 
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