Review: Somatesthesia by Ann Somerville
SOMATESTHESIA
Ann Somerville
ISBN: 978-1-60504-986-1
Samhain Publishing
April 2010
Erotica/GLBT
Erotica/Sci Fi
Erotica/Futuristic
eBook
In the near future, the resources are limited and only the rich can afford vehicles. Yet crime and corruption still exist. As an agent for the Federal Justice Agency, Devlin has dedicated his life to taking care of those who are less fortunate than himself. His dedication is put to the test when he transfers to the Special Crimes Unit and is paired with Connor, an enhanced agent with zero social skills, but an impressive performance record. When Connor and Devlin are sent off to catch an elusive kidnapper/killer they learn that not only do they have to look beneath the surface to solve their case, but look beneath the surface to realize that they are exactly what the other needs to make their life complete. But the Agency has a strict no fraternization policy and a killer has turned his attention from the children to them.
Although I had to look SOMATESTHESIA up in the dictionary to figure out what it meant, I loved this book. SOMATESTHESIA was funny, deep, and intelligent.
Connor and Devlin were well-drawn out characters who each went through a complete character arc, Connor especially. I loved how the layers to his psyche were slowly peeled away and we learn that despite his ‘super’ powers how vulnerable and tortured he was. I also admired how Connor was able to finally separate himself from everything and grow and develop. Devlin also made strides on learning to not always having to take control and protect someone, but give them the freedom to learn how to protect themselves. Somatesthesia takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions and I appreciated the ride.
The plot was well done, even though SOMATESTHESIA isn’t a suspense novel, the suspense elements included were well done and caused me to keep flipping the pages, eager to see how the situation was going to be resolved.
The main focus of SOMATESTHESIA was the development of Connor and Devlin’s relationship.Although this is labeled erotica, while their is a lot of sexual tension the actual sex scenes are alluded to or described very briefly. I loved how their relationship had so many layers as they tried to battle internal and external issues. I loved how they both made mistakes and how they communicated and apologized to each other when they made a wrong move. The deep-seated respect that they had for each other is not something you often find in romance.
This is the first time I’ve read a novel by Ann Somerville. It won’t be the last.
