Desert Sons

I finished this book last night before going to bed, and must admit it made me think all night long. Since the day I started reading it, I took every available opportunity to read as much as possible. I needed this book in front of me 25 years ago when I was around the age of Scott and Ryan. But, in those days they subject of coming out was nothing anyone talked about. There were no role models. The characters in this book were so real to me that in a way I felt that I am Ryan. This book provides a positive, truthful, realistic perspective on young life, and is well worth the time to read. It proves how important friendship, and love are for people gay or straight.

This is a very-well crafted coming-out book. The author has a fine ear for teenage dialogue and writes with a style that owes no apology to the best "literary" gay novels. Kendrick makes the reader care very much about his two young protagonists, even though one of them (Ryan) is a "troubled" youth. His boyfriend, Scott, is the most likeable character I've ever encountered in fiction. Kendrick also works in a number of very explicitly erotic scenes that never feel gratuitous. I've read many gay coming-out books; this is one of the very best.

Mark Kendrick writes so well that it’s hard to believe "Desert Sons" is his first novel. My curiosity was intrigued from the very first chapter and I read on just dying to know what had happened between Ryan and Crawford. The truth wasn’t revealed until near the end of the novel, and the suspense added a beautiful touch to an endearing story. (...) Scott is witty, charming, funny, and oh so sexy. Ryan has a darker side than Scott, but his complexities and tragic past make him a fascinating character.I don’t want to give away any of the story, but the developing relationship between Scott and Ryan is one that kept me reading and reading. (...) "Desert Sons" is a realistic portrayal of gay youth. Scott and Ryan are "real" boys, with real problems, and needs. The steamy and frequent sex scenes make the novel inappropriate for younger readers, but are entirely realistic. The sex scenes aren’t just thrown in to entice readers. They belong there. The story would not be complete without them. The imagery is so sensual and sexual that the novel is worth reading just for their sake. If the sex was deleted from "Desert Sons", it would still be a story that I’d recommend to anyone. This is a novel that works on more than one level. (...) "Desert Sons" is a definite "must read". It’s become one of my favorite novels of all time and I recommend it to everyone.

Mark Kendrick has pulled off something amazing with the release of his first book. The story centers on Scott Faraday, a gay teen who has never been in a relationship and is out to a few friends, and Ryan St. Charles, who has been in a rocky relationship and who struggles with whether or not he is really gay. The narrative alternates between the points of view of each of the boys and offers an original spin and a chance to see things from each of their perspectives. As their friendship develops into something exciting it reveals some of Ryan's past which is both scary and tragic without being melodramatic or predictable. There is the past relationship, suicide attempts, former abuse, and loads of denial that the boys must work thru. One of the truly amazing things about this book is the authors descriptive skills...you will feel the heat of the desert and the coolness of the rain as you read. You will lose yourself in the story of these two young men. Part of the magic is that at alternate times in your life you have been each of these boys. You have felt what they feel and understand what they are going thru. You will be pulling for them at each turn. This is a great coming out and finding your way in the world book. Some authors think these themes require an "event book". Something that is larger than life and sadly mostly unbelievable. This book find the balance that is not only exciting but believable as well. From the dialogue to the descriptions this author has given the world a rare treat. Don't miss this one. You will be begging for more by the end and will be hard pressed to find another book on the subject that is half as good.

It?s a real pleasure to read about a level-headed, likeable gay teen like Scott Faraday in DESERT SONS, who celebrates being gay and expects others in his world to celebrate with him. When he meets a troubled teen by the name of Ryan St. Charles, Scott is challenged, not only to like the guy, but eventually to bring him out. This first novel by Mark Kendrick hints at a maturity of style rare in many first novels. The characters are well conceived and presented in depth. The story seems simple at first, but always in the background is the depth of the problems that Ryan must work through as his friendship with Scott grows. There is real growth of character, here, presented in unabashedly erotic and emotional scenes. Kendrick has a real gift of description of the desert and the forests of northern California, as well, which plays an important role in making the story vibrant and sensuous. Simply a good read. --Ronald L. Donaghe, author of THE BLIND SEASON