let's get lit(erary)

Leif Engström (b. 1992), PÅ OMVÄGAR, 2024

The doors to the bedroom, with silver niello knobs. Thai stands flank the doorway, holding Burmese temples and tassles.

Dawnridge estate of Tony Duquette.

--The Hands of the Emperor is one of the horniest books I've read over the last few years. The titular character is unable to touch or be touched by other people, but gradually builds an emotionally intimate relationship with his advisor.

--The "talking things out" is the vehicle/stand-in for intimacy given the above point.

--"Nothing happens" is an insane thing to say about a thousand-page doorstop of a book about alien politics and government.

--Setting aside the acespec romance arc, I'm amazed that the reviewer managed to avoid any mention of the rich cultural tapestry the author of Hands weaves for the characters, because it's arguably the star of the series.