Into This World We're Thrown

I don't feel I missed a thing by reading the sequel first: it works as a stand-alone novel. The characters of Scott and Ryan deal with gossip, resentment, and more serious matters, such as the threat of violence and feeling excluded in a place they love. There are many sizzling scenes here, as the flames burn hot with passion between these two young men. I also liked the well-drawn setting, California's high desert. The novel progresses well and keeps the reader interested. Ryan's grandmother dies, adding a twist to the story and giving him a challenge to deal with. These characters seem very real, the dialogue is crisp, and the events are believable. The college-admissions hassle is totally real. Guess I will go backwards now and read the FIRST book, Desert Sons--and definitely will read other books by this author.

I loved this book. I found the story compelling, and kept me turning page after page to see what was going to happen next. It was a little slow at the beginning, but that was mainly because it repeated some stuff from the first book. I like how the book could stand alone, but it was a little tiresome at points. I highly reccomend that you read the first book. All in all, I loved the book. As a Psych major in college, I found that that aspect was well done, even if it was a little too fast for reality. I really ejoyed reading this book, and was dissapointed when it was over. I would love to read more about Ryan and Scott in college.

This book is a continuation from Desert Son. I highly recommend you read this book but first you might want to read Desert Sons. Mark does a wonderful job of having you look at both Ryan and Scotts lives. Both of these books are worth the price you pay for them. Read both of them trust me you will enjoy it. I am looking forward to reading more of Mark Kendricks novels.

This is a very enjoyable and entertaining novel. The characters, notably Scott Faraday, are among the most likable and notable you will ever meet on the printed page. The setting, California's High Desert, is creative and interesting and adds to the development of the story. The dialogue is both realistic and hip.The novel is not without flaws. One character is introduced as having fallen off a roof in winter; several pages later the accident evidently happened in another season. The college application and admissions process is so facile as to be unbelievable. And ... the Ryan character should switch from engineering to probate law based on his ability to settle his grandmother's estate in lightning-speed time. But Kendrick is entitled to author's license on these points, as they don't really detract from the story.The author has stated that he's done with Scott and Ryan and is moving on to science-fiction. Those of us who have come to, yes, love Scott and Ryan will have to fantasize about what happens in the future of their well-created lives ...

I loved Mark Kendrick's debut novel, Desert Sons. ... I was surprised and happy to learn of his plans to first write a sequel to Desert Sons. Though I found the ending of the original completely satisfying, it also left some open possibilities that this book explores.While Desert Sons deftly handles the difficult and sometimes dangerous coming out process of young lovers Ryan and Scott, the sequel finds that lingering tensions remain, while new challenges continue to surface. Infidelity, jealousy, town gossip, and buried feelings threaten to destroy their relationship. Worse yet, the threat of violence looms constantly in their lives.Fans of Desert Sons will surely cherish this conclusion to its story-lines. However, I also suggest it to fans of gay teen "coming out" movies like Beautiful Thing, Get Real, Boy's Life, and Edge of Seventeen. In fact, Kendrick's first two novels would both make great movies themselves!