In this intriguing and frankly erotic tale set in an intricately developed alternate world, the moon has rings, mammoths survive in the far north, and a patriarchal empire rules over provincial kingdoms where the Goddess is still revered. Legend tells that long ago the Gods sailed here from the East, but now this is a world of humans. Or is it?
At the heart of the Kemnoan Empire, in the imperial capital Ulan, handsome Prince Dare is the heir to the throne. But this restless young man flees from his duty on a journey of self–discovery with his chameleon cat, Maumet, as his only companion. Telling himself that he's seeking enlightenment, Dare sets off on foot for the mountainous kingdom of Loonapoore, where sacred mammoths are revered. The Loonapoori term for enlightenment means "tusk of the moon." As much as spiritual enlightenment, the young man really seeks the truth of the feelings and passions in his maturing body.
Meanwhile, a young Loonapoori noble named Hosis flees from his own family destiny riding on the back of a stolen mammoth cow. From separate directions, the two young men are pulled inexorably toward what will be to both a startling rendezvous and the beginning of an epic adventure together. Accompanied by the mysterious Lady Dee, they will journey to the South Seas to seek the fabled Dream Orchid, said to bestow either enlightenment or death.
Along the way Dare encounters both the threat—and the promise—of alluring erotic fulfillment.
Review
Moontusk: Rendezvous in a Ruined City by Bruce P. Grether is a magical journey of sci-fi fantasy. As promised, this is a book of sexual and spiritual discovery. Prince Dare is heir to the throne in the mythical city of Ulan. When all around him fall to differing fates, he strikes out on a journey to find mysteries disclosed to him by his private teacher. Alone accept for his pet, Maumet, he suffers more loss, but finds himself.
On his journey, he has a chance meeting with Lady Dee, someone with whom he shares at least one connection. She shows him that he is capable of more than he imagined, but is she using him to help fulfill a part f her own destiny? As they journey with their guides, they experience legends and find that some myths are in fact true. And then a third wayfarer is added to the duo of travelers. Are these fates foretold in the dreams of Prince Dare and his new companion Hosis; is this destiny? The two share a connection with Lady Dee, but find themselves enchanted with each other.
This is an excellent story. I at times had problems keeping the storylines distinct, as the chapters weren’t clearly delineated as to whose story was being told at a given point, but I did enjoy the tale. Since this is Book One, I look forward to further adventures of the trio of travelers and what is to become of the predictions that were revealed here. Has Prince Dare escaped his past? Will the task that Lady Dee was chosen for come true? Will Hosis and Prince Dare find Love everlasting? I can’t wait to find out!
