REVIEW: Ozzy, by Rowan Massey

Title: Ozzy

Series: Such a Colorful Feeling Book One

Author: Rowan Massey

Genre: sci fi, post apocalyptic

LGBTQ+ Category: Gay MM

Publisher: Self

Pages: 275

Reviewer: Ilse, Paranormal Romance Guild

Get It On Amazon

About The Book

Ozzy could ruin Jace’s life to buy his own freedom…or let himself fall in love and save Jace’s life instead.

Two dozen new types of recreational drugs were invented in the eighties. Now there’s no one left who isn’t a user. As a result, civilization is falling to its knees. The skies are polluted, having a job puts you in the minority, and public services like health care and police protection are for the rich.
In a town called Emporium, Ozzy works as a rent boy in a seedy club.

When Jace, an overdosing teenager, is dropped at his feet, Ozzy sees an opportunity. His cruel pimp and mayor will let him cross the guarded borders of town and escape to a better life if Ozzy finds his own replacement. Jace, although he’s disabled, seems like a candidate.

But things won’t be that simple. Jace is sick and won’t last long. Under increasing pressure to save himself from his pimp, Ozzy races to save the life of the guy he’s not supposed to be falling for.

The Review

The story of Ozzy takes place in a, I shall call it, a post drug-apocalyptic America, where the division between the haves and the have nots is evident. Ozzy exists in the ‘have not’ part of it called Emporium. That world is ruled by the sale and use of recreational drugs. Ozzy, a student who works forcibly as a male prostitute at a club, to pay his pimp, pay for his studies and his living expenses and drugs, to cope with his miserable life. He dreams of the day he can finish his studies and move to the west coast, and live the decent life he envisions.

While he’s at work, a teen, overdosing on drugs,is literally dropped at hisfeet. Jace, the teen, is revived and saved by Ozzy who he takes home. A friendship develops between the two and past events are revealed. After a couple of months of care and intimacy, love blooms between the two. But it also becomes clear that Jace is ill and needs urgent medical care to have a chance at survival. Ozzy wants to take Jace out of Emporium, but major/pimp won’t let him go. Things go sour between the two, furthercomplicated by the territorial drug wars and Ozzy is forced to make life-altering decisions to try and save Jace’s life as well as hisown in the deteriorating city they live in.

The author Rowan Massey did an excellent job with the editing of the book, something I am very keen on; because to me it conveys the author’s cares about the product that is presented to the audience. That is much appreciated. I enjoy reading romance novels, fiction, as a form of entertainment. I usually would not choose a story with this content. To be confronted with the many socio-political ills of society, such as poverty, misuse of drugs and oppression, set in a ‘nightmarish worlds ….. That is part of life’s reality.

This is a well written book, just not my chosen setting and the reason why it gets four stars from me.

The Reviewer

I am a female who studied international law in the Netherlands some thirty (30) years ago and have been working for government in a management position. I grew up in the Caribbean and stimulated by my parents’ love for reading, I have been devouring books ever since, which has broadened my imagination and creativity. Reading has also enhanced my writing skills and if time away from work permits, I will pursue a writing career.

The Paranormal Romance Guild was established in 2009 by 8 Indie Authors and one Reviewer to be a constant help for authors. You can be a free author member, submitting your work for review OR become a Premium Author Member for a small yearly fee and enjoy many extra services including Free Beta Reads, Author Giveaways and many others. Your reviews are posted on our 3 FB Sites, Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram. WE REVIEW ALL GENRES LGBTQ+ welcome.

Check out our website: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/

FB: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/

U Might Have Missed

Word Count: Click here to reveal311000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Lesbian (Click here to hide)

Summary: Everyone has secrets… but some are fatal. 1932, London. Late one December night Simon Sampson stumbles across the body of a woman in an alleyway. Her death is linked to a plot by right-wing extremists to assassinate the King on Christmas Day. Simon resolves to do his patriotic duty and unmask the traitors. But Simon Sampson lives a double life. Not only is he a highly respected BBC radio announcer, but he’s also a man who loves men, and as such must live a secret life. His investigation risks revealing his other life and with that imprisonment under Britain’s draconian homophobic laws of the time. He faces a stark choice: his loyalty to the King or his freedom. This is the first in a new series from award-winning author David C. Dawson. A richly atmospheric novel set in the shadowy world of 1930s London, where secrets are commonplace, and no one is quite who they seem.

Check This Out Too

Word Count: Information not available

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: The city of Haven Hart rests under the heel of Christopher Manos. He reigns over the most dangerous and deadliest citizens as the most powerful crime boss the city has seen in generations. Yet, for the last five years, the harshest edges of his nature have been tempered by the loving devotion of his husband, Snow, and the nephew Christopher adores like a son. His life is a balance of darkness and light until a birthday trip for his nephew, Simon, is interrupted by a hail of bullets and explosions, threatening to destroy it all. Snow has found a home, a family, and the love of one of Haven Hart’s most powerful men. When Christopher and Simon are kidnapped, Snow risks everything to find his family. Utilizing specialized skills he learned on the streets and the finer points of running a city from his crime boss husband, Snow takes on roles he never dreamed he would--protector, leader, and avenger. No one threatens his family and lives. Experienced enough to know he can’t do this alone, Snow calls in every favor he is owed, risking his life promising favors in return, all to save his family and the man he loves. The sins of the Manos crime family are escaping the dark recesses of the past and threatening the bright future of everything Snow and Christopher have built. Yet, even with the help of some unlikely and uniquely dangerous people, Snow finds himself wondering if their efforts will be enough to save the two most important people in his life. Will the loving family Snow has finally found be taken from him forever?