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BOOK REVIEW: Dreamer by Steven Harper
I've often heard the lament that there are no good gay sci fi books, that gay books are all coming out stories, frothy urban romances, or "serious" I-hate-myself-and-I'm-in-love-with-a-hustler stories. And while it's true that I'm hearing there are some worthy self-published gay sci fi titles, finding them means sorting through the mounds of dreck.
So in keeping with the suggestion that we not limit our reviews to currently published books, I offer this little gay sci fi gem from 2001: Dreamer by Steven Harper, the first in a four-book series (The Silent Empire) about a world where a small percentage of humanity has been able to link together telepathically in something called The Dream. But strange storms have started appearing in The Dream, destroying not just this alternate wonderland, and all the benefits it brings humanity, but also all the people connected to it. It's a clever premise wonderfully executed.
But what really make these books extraordinary is the fact that the main character is a gay man. The series goes into great detail about his childhood, his feelings of being "different," and his stormy relationship with another man. It's integral to the story, not mere window-dressing, like Stephen King's recent book-about-a-gay-man, Cellular. And it's all the more interesting that the books are written (under a pen name) by a straight man.
Highly, highly recommended. Check em out.
So in keeping with the suggestion that we not limit our reviews to currently published books, I offer this little gay sci fi gem from 2001: Dreamer by Steven Harper, the first in a four-book series (The Silent Empire) about a world where a small percentage of humanity has been able to link together telepathically in something called The Dream. But strange storms have started appearing in The Dream, destroying not just this alternate wonderland, and all the benefits it brings humanity, but also all the people connected to it. It's a clever premise wonderfully executed.
But what really make these books extraordinary is the fact that the main character is a gay man. The series goes into great detail about his childhood, his feelings of being "different," and his stormy relationship with another man. It's integral to the story, not mere window-dressing, like Stephen King's recent book-about-a-gay-man, Cellular. And it's all the more interesting that the books are written (under a pen name) by a straight man.
Highly, highly recommended. Check em out. 
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Comments
Interesting book. It depicts a strong gay man in a fantasty world which is rare. Some of the names are cheesy but it's still a good read.
Mercedes Lackey's Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, and Magic's Price (1989-1990) are three good fantasy novel with a strong queer main character.
And the rest of the Valdemar also have good representations of queer characters.
Id just like to point out that Steven Harper is the name of the very anti gay conservative leader and current prime minister of canada. I wanted to point out the irony that this authors name is also Steven Harper.
I wish I got the appeal of Mercedes Lackey.
I like Sci-fi/Fantasy books that carry a gay theme so I figured I'd give this guy a try. Umm, this book (and the rest from the series) are no longer in print. Sites like allscifi are making it seem like there's no actual gay content until the third book. I figured you said the main character is gay so he has to be gay throughout.
The name of Canada's Prime Minister is actually Stephen Harper (and yes, he's VERY anti-gay), but I still found it ironic that they have almost identical names.
Nooooooo! No longer in print! A travesty.
But yeah, there's a ton of gay content in the first two books. Maybe no actual gay sex scenes until Book 3, but the character is gay.
jonny1
Thanks for the tip
I really enjoyed the first three books in the series. I tried to buy them new, because I want to support authors who support us. Sadly, only the latest book is still in print. Thanks to Brent for the tip! I always buy Brent's books ASAP-- yep, I'm a kissup. (But I love them too!)
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