Yaan’s proposition to Kel isn’t an isolated case but, unlike other officials Kel has served as a messenger boy, Yaan may actually be interested in him. The only thing Kel has asked of Yaan is to exercise his position and help him preserve an old theatre meant to be demolished. Yaan’s priorities seem to be on pleasing his boss rather than caring for his partner.

Disclaimer: This book is a participant in the Indie Ink Awards 2022 and I read it as a judge. My personal rating does not reflect its score for the contest.

One of my literary pet peeves is the romanticization of toxic relationships. This novella alternates between past and present to paint a picture of Kel and Yaan’s relationship. Against his family’s counsel, Kel goes to live with Yaan and spends his days trapped in Yaan’s quarters, waiting for him to come back so he can help him unwind from work.

I’m also not a fan of age gaps and power imbalances in romantic relationships. The premise of this novella operates on both.

We see how again and again Yaan neglects Kel (even after he voices his concerns on multiple occasions), being abusive and controlling of him. It isn’t until Yaan gets affected that he notices he’s been a bad partner.

Kel is only appreciated in Yaan’s circles as eye candy and Yaan often leaves him alone at social events, disregarding how Kel feels about it. I don’t believe the depiction of a trans character as a toyboy was a wise decision.