Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Rara Avis
AUTHOR: Julie Swift
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 737 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2018
BLURB:
- Victorian England. Twenty-year old Michael Callahan is a talented architect who, after being discovered by his father with another man, secretly sails to England to start his life anew as Colin Edwards. Acting on information that his idol, Henry Sewell, is like-minded, Colin seduces his way into a job and Henry’s heart. Colin is introduced to new worlds via the older and more experienced Henry, who takes the scandalous step of adopting Colin so that they may live and travel together freely. Along the way Colin explores what it means to be gay, Catholic, an architect ahead of his time, and the object of affection by more than one man (and woman).
REVIEW:
Happy Author Request Month! This is my first of a few and I’ve started out strong.
Sometimes, a long, juicy historical romance is just what you need on a brisk November day. While this isn’t a typical romance with an obvious happy ending, it’s a compelling, slow story about a May-December couple in high 1890’s British society and how they grow up, together, and apart over the course of many years.
Colin is young, handsome, and ready for a clean slate. He changes his name and moves to England to wiggle his way into the architecture scene, and due to his tremendous talent, he has no problem wooing Henry Sewell, the older, handsome architect Colin most admires. The two men soon realize they have common predilections and start seeing each other.
Henry is easy to hate, but so fun to read. He’s a big bundle of red flags that Colin gleefully ignores as they make love, travel, and party with friends. Henry likes his boys young, pretty, and agreeable, and he knows just how to manipulate Colin into exactly the boy he wants. He’s jealous, pompous, smarmy, and possessive, but there’s still a niggling feeling that he really does care for Colin, and Colin cares for him. It’s an unhealthy relationship from start to finish, but they make for a spectacular read full of passion and tension.
History buffs will love this story for many reasons, especially the inclusion of a fictional version of Oscar Wilde and his mercurial lover Bosie as they take the London gay scene by storm. Henry and Colin are sort of the new “it” couple in their club, and seeing them square off with one of the wittiest gay men in history is delightful. There’s always a sense of urgency, too—despite their wealth and privilege (and wow, do they flaunt it), Henry and Colin must keep their intimacy a secret, which gets harder as Colin becomes more well-known in his field.
The title translates to “rare thing,” a term Colin admires in Henry’s designs—he centers the room on one precious item that stands out from the rest. Colin is obviously the rara avis of this story, but the admirers shift from start to finish. He starts as Henry’s own rara avis, then everyone else’s, then his career’s, and eventually, his own. It isn’t a perfect arc, but it makes sense for a boy who is used to getting by on charm and looks when he knows he should be admired for his skill.
The length is noticeable. At over 700 pages, this is one of the longest books I’ve read in a while, especially in the romance genre. The story meanders and bathes in itself—it takes its time on transitions and parties and snappy, lengthy scenes of dialogue. For the most part, it’s totally enjoyable. At its worst, its self-indulgent, and needs another editing sweep. But the length ultimately works—if you’re up for the task.
If you’re going to indulge in a dramatic historical romance this winter, make it this one. The characters will woo, shock, anger, and inflame you throughout their story, and the author has a knack for inciting emotion on every page. It’s a one-of-a-kind read!
RATING: 
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