Patrick was a survivor. He beat cancer at a young age, and was looking forward to getting on with his life. But sometimes things don't work the way you want, and all you are left with is how you wish things to end, and how to balance that need with those around you.
Size: 349 KB (67,991 words)
Genre: Drama
Sex Contents: Minimal Sex
Tags: mt/ft, Romantic, Heterosexual, First
Review by Bester [other reviews by Bester]
Reviewed:
This was a powerfully emotional story. This story tells the story of a boy trying to become a man and live as much of his life as possible while under a serious threat of death by cancer. I don't want to provide much more than that in summary for fear of spoiling some of the things that happen even though story twists are not really the point of the story, which is more about living life to the fullest in the time you are given. There is no significant sexual content to speak of, so if you are looking for anything arousing or enticing in that manner, this story is a waste of your time.
Bytor did an amazing job pressing every emotional button they could find and if they missed any I don't know what those buttons would be. The story was well-written, and while I noticed the occasional typo or grammatical mistake there weren't enough problems to significantly detract from the story. The characters each had their own distinct personality and felt real, with one partial exception. The protagonist in particular was extremely well done, and the emotional roller-coaster of despair, hope, embarrassment, anger, denial and fear came across extremely well and felt authentic (speaking as someone who had a cancer scare a few years ago, even though it was an extremely mild case compared to what is told in the story). I can't speak enough to the skill with which the author wrote the main character.
Other than the minor technical errors in the story, the main problem I had was with a twist in the epilogue involving one of the sisters. I felt the character was well-written without this, and the twist, I thought, didn't work with how the character was written throughout the story. I think that looking back the character made more sense before revealing the twist than after, and it isn't really given enough words to flesh it out enough to make it worthwhile.
With that said, that is praising with faint damnation. If you like emotional stories then this is well worth your time to read. I hope the author writes more in the future, as this story is an improvement of leaps and bounds over their prior stories.
Review by anim8ed [other reviews by anim8ed]
Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
This was probably the hardest story for me to read but I could not stop reading it. For myself it hit me right between the eyes and dredged up buried emotions from my own personal experiences living with a loved one that has cancer. If you are or have been in a similar situation then I have to warn you this story will be very emotionally demanding.
Technically speaking there are, at the time I read the story, many typos and extra words sprinkled throughout. Nothing that a good edit won't cure. The writing is otherwise excellent.
If all you are looking for is masturbatory material then look for something else to read. There is some sex but it is minimal and essential to the story.
The subject matter is tough to do and balance the emotions surrounding cancer especially when the news is not good. Bytor did an exceptional job of exploring the various emotions and reactions different people feel when confronted with a tough diagnosis. Some very raw emotions are very realistically portrayed by the different characters both main and peripheral.
If you do read it, keep a tissue box handy. If you do start the story you absolutely need to read it through to the end to get the closure needed after being exposed to such emotions.
I gave the story a, for me, rare 10. To be able to dredge through such an emotional and depressing theme and still leave the reader feeling good at the end is a remarkable talent. An excellent story that will be very thought provoking and possibly quit emotionally draining. It is definitely worth a read as it is one of those stories that has the potential of making you a better person for having read it.
***Edit***
I have opted not to use the number ratings and only offer a written review. I hope that you still find my reviews helpful despite the lack of a numerical rating. As always, feedback is always welcome.
