The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing [Paperback]

The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing is a fantasy, since it's setting in a fantasy world and the main characters behave as medieval men never would, but for all other details it's an medieval historical, setting in a rather interesting growing town where bartering in an art and human skills the most valuable goods.

Jimothy Redwing is a wandering minstrel, he walks from town to town gaining his foods with music and songs and delivering letters, both written than spoken. It's quite an idea this one of a minstrel that, other than memorizing songs, memorizes also the letters of who is unable to write... there is some historical expert among my friends that can tell me if this is a fictional detail or is actually a true things? I have never found it in any other historical romance I read, but it seems to me quite a good idea and it sounds so real.

Anyway Jimothy is travelling from one city to another to bring some important letters, one in particular to the lanmere of the city (something similar to a mistress of the land). During the journey he meets Ricky, a man who, difference to him who is by foot, travels by horse and that is so kind to offer him a pass. And since Ricky is rather comfortable around the land, they can spend the night in a waycabin, one of a series of cabin that the late landmere built all around the country to host wandering travellers (another quite good idea...).

Alone in the cabin Jimothy finds that Ricky and him have something in common, they both prefer the company of men, and they spend a lovely night together; Ricky actually is a very friendly and sexy man, with an easy smile and an easy "behaviour"... I don't want to say that he is a bit of a "butterfly", but yes, he is not shy in matter of sex; our poor minstrel can do very little to go away with his intact virtue, if he even wants it.

But when the day after they arrive to the city, Jimothy finds that Ricky is not exactly who he told him to be, and an unknown enemy is not so glad to see Ricky gangs up with a common and simple wandering minstrel. But Ricky discovers also that he is unable to move on Jimothy like he had with his other passing flings, Jimothy becomes more and more important every day they spent together. But Jimothy is a wandering minstrel, and what would happen to the wandering part of his work if he chooses to stop and love a man?

The suspence part of the story, the unknown enemy, is not very mysterious, and for me it's not the main regard of the story. I like a lot the fiction world the author created, with all the details and the supporting characters. It's a joy to read every single aspect, carefully carved till the single shop sings on the street. Also the two characters are nice, probably I prefer Ricky, I always prefer the bratty ones.

The story is long but not boring. The love is sexy and joyful, there is a lot of sex but it's not too much, probably since the book is long and so it's not seemed like the two are only and ever in bed. Also the ending is of the right mood of all the story, not quite so granted as you can expected. This is for me a very good start for an author who tried her hands on a new genre.

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- Unusual and intriguing plot. Strong does a good job of revealing teasing tidbits of information that build toward a climax or that simply contribute something fun or surprising to the world of the story.
- Slight paranormal element that allows the plot to be that much richer.
- Fun yet (at times) dark setting. The city in which the majority of the action takes place is well described, as is the inn where Jimothy stays.

CONS:
- Some words that didn't match the story's rustic/historical setting and which thus pulled me rather abruptly out of the story. Examples: "funky" and "sucked" (to indicate that a situation was unpleasant).
- One of the big revelations that I felt sure was supposed to come as a surprise about halfway through the book didn't surprise me at all; I saw it coming from a long way off. (Maybe this isn't necessarily a con; Strong just provided a few too many hints that when combined, came off as a bit heavy-handed.)
- The sex scenes aren't badly written, but I didn't see anything terribly special in them either.
- I'm not satisfied with the ending. The book doesn't strike me as the sort that will have a sequel (although if Strong writes one I'll certainly read it), so the open ending is bothering me. It's not a sad ending per se, but it lacks anything resembling the sort of resolution I like to find at the end of a romance.

Overall comments: This is a fun read with an interesting plot and a unique world in which the story takes place, so if you enjoy fantasy, you might try this one. If you're looking for erotica, you'll likely be disappointed; there aren't a plethora of sex scenes, and they're just averagely graphic.

As a Wand'ring Minstrel, Jimothy Redwing's needs are simple--his demiguitar, food, a place to sleep, and occasional companionship. On the way to the city of Couvin, Jimothy manages to meet all those needs at once when he encounters traveler Ricky Lennox. Ricky gives Jimothy a ride on his horse, shares his food, and shares a small traveler's cabin--and bed--with him. Once they reach the city, Ricky gives him advice and leaves, with the promise of seeing him again.

In the city, Jimothy discovers a lot of things weren't what he thought. One of the letters he's supposed to deliver contains some sort of controversial information, and Ricky is hiding a big secret from him. Can Jimothy and Ricky manage to have a relationship despite the turmoil surrounding them?

The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing is an enjoyable fantasy novel. Minstrel Jimothy is a great character. He loves his work and takes it very seriously, but he also makes time for "fun" whenever possible. His developing feelings for Ricky take him by surprise, but luckily he's an adaptable person. Ricky, who is funny, kind, and enjoys expressing his desires in creative ways, is a good match for Jimothy. Ricky's secret (which I won't reveal here) is a pretty big deal, but it's easy to see why he wants to hide it at first. The intrigue that Jimothy and Ricky become embroiled in provides suspense and kept me reading on to see what would happen next. Secondary characters are well-written and interesting, especially Ricky's mother and the innkeepers at the inn where Jimothy stays and performs. Maia Strong also did a good job with the world- building, providing a fascinating realm with a hint of the paranormal. I hope she writes more books in the same setting. I for one would definitely read them. If you like fantasy, intrigue, and romance, you can't go wrong with The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing.

Cassie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed