Title: Surving Death
Series: Treble and the Lost Boys
Author: G.R. Lyons
Genre: Paranormal
LGBTQ+ Category: MM / Gay
Publisher: Self
Pages: 186
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
How can you find purpose when you’re already dead?
Cam Lucius has always felt useless and helpless, but never so much as the day his father pulled the plug, ending Cam’s life. As a ghost, there are only a handful of people who can see Cam, leaving him lonelier than ever.
Until he meets Taylor.
Taylor Ainsley can’t touch anything without suffering, leaving him isolated from family and abandoned by friends. As for ever having a boyfriend? Not a chance.
Until he meets Cam.
Taylor can touch Cam without pain, and Cam may not be as straight as he thought he was.
Now Cam is determined to help Taylor find a reason to live.
Until that plan puts Taylor right in harm’s way.
Note: This story is a spin-off of Illumined Shadows (Treble and the Lost Boys, 3) and thus should not be read as a standalone.
WARNING: Contains references to past trauma and discussions of topics that may be upsetting to some readers. Caution is advised.
The Review
“Surviving Death” is a short story about Cam Lucius. It picks up after “Illumined Shadows” from “A Treble and the Lost Boys” series. I highly recommend reading “Illumined Shadows” as it gives a more in-depth look at Cam, his brother Vic and Vic’s partner Colby and their connection.
Cam has tried to survive at being a ghost. Besides his ghost friends, he has his brother Vic and partner Colby. Colby has the ability to see Cam but Vic doesn’t. Cam and Vic have worked out a way to communicate.
Cam who always had hopes to live, died at the age of seventeen. He still holds his appearance from that age but he figures he’s twenty-seven by now. Cam does everything possible as a ghost to enjoy his time but he feels something is missing.
Cam is surprised when he finds a young man who can actually see him.
As Cam starts to befriend Taylor, their journey is somewhat a coming of age and discovery. Cam learns that Taylor suffers on a daily basis. Even though Taylor and Cam discover a way to ease a little of Taylor’s pain, Taylor still searches to end his pain. For Cam he suffered from his own private tragedy and wished for the chance to live.
I have to admire G.R. Lyons for bringing the issue of death and life into this novella. I suggest when reading this story to keep an open mind. As this story is set in another time and world, there are some characters with some extraordinary abilities. Vic and Colby are a great support unit for Cam. Taylor has a wonderful loving family, who accept Cam.
To see the eternal suffering that Taylor dealt with every single minute of his life was heartbreaking. Cam has to reevaluate his thoughts and feelings once he faces his father and sees Taylors agonizing situation. As for me, what it really boils down to is having a choice and have that choice respected.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read. I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors. My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book! As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb peaks my interest I will read the book. My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading. I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended. But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.