Title: The One from Red Shoal

Author: Ferret-bird

Genre: Fantasy

Quick Summary: Why. Isn't. There. More. Of. This. This. Is. Illegal. 

Thoughts:

This book has just about everything I like. Fantasy. Queer people. Magic. Strong chemistry. It makes me clutch my chest and sigh. I think I cussed out Haltolomos a couple of times. 

Overall, Red Shoal is great and my biggest problem is that there isn't more of it. I know Lowry is busy with The Third Son rewrites, but I'm still incredibly sad they haven't wrote more of this because I really want to see where this book goes.

I think I like just about everyone. They all need hugs. Half this cast had rough lives before the start of this book and they need to be squished and loved. Haltolomos especially. Though he laments a couple of times about once being rich and not any longer, he... had to leave his old life behind for very traumatic reasons. I hope he finds a job soon. And finds a man that actually loves him. 

Ryu is a trans egg who hasn't quite found out who they are yet, and the way Lowry deals with their emerging body issues and gender confusion is very well done. It's very subtle to begin with. I hope they find happiness soon. And their magic powers.

Nereos is... interesting. He's a very flirty and sly character and I feel bad for him because it's very clear he's stopped understanding when someone wants to fuck him and when someone actually wants something else from him. This leads to some awkwardness between him and Hal. I hope he too learns that not everyone wants to use him, and that he finds love both within himself and with someone else. Mostly in himself.

The side characters are also distinct from each other and everyone else. I want to see more of Nikureh. And Michem. I love Michem.

As much as it traumatised him, I'm glad Hal stabbed Eirenaios. Abusive fucker deserved it.

Speaking of, the way Hal is "coping" with the aftermath of Eirenaios' abuse just... shatters my heart. His PTSD is very apparent and very well done. I hope he finds a way to recover someday.

I also adored the descriptions. I wish I could steal some of Lowry's descriptive talent. Every location is clear in my head, and the way emotions and actions were described at times swept me off my feet. 

In terms of the actual world, it's very clear what it's based off and also just how this world as an isolated location work. I love the magic system. I want to see more of it. The way things like money and religion and The Sciences were handled is done in a way that makes sense and is consistent. And it's just... nice to not see another fantasy story set in Ye Olde England for a change.

I did have a couple of problems, but they're mostly minor. Hal is established as talking in a more formal and "stringent" manner and yet sometimes he slips up and phrases things that seem a bit OOC. I'm not entirely sure what the purpose of Nereos having sex with someone in front of Hal served, either - maybe I missed something. I thought it was a nice scene, but overall confused how it added to the story or their relationship.

And also, there's not more of this story. Please update someday. My heart can't take it. I want to see what happens! I need to make sure everyone ends up happy!