review 1: Considering the length, this a surprisingly deep character-driven survival romance. We get the story from Glenton’s point of view alone, and since these young people are stuck underground together, this is a surprisingly effective method of drawing us into the situation.The topside world is in the process of being re-terraformed. The rich and powerful live in a space station while the rest of the populace hibernate in crystal chambers underground. One day Glenton wakes up in an earthquake that destroys the hibernating chambers. He is rescued by Aric, another survivor. The whole world beneath is in turmoil, and only half a dozen people survive. Glenton went in as a boy and grows up amid these other youths, not knowing why he feels nothing for his female friend Rawn and to... moreo much for brooding Aric. He has no words for his feelings. Years pass as they dig their way through the ice and crystal toward the door to the top. The situation changes when the earth renewal nears its end and Glenton and Aric grow closer.Each survivor has a distinct character, which I appreciated. And even though the story is short, we are shown disasters when lives are lost in accidents. In essence, this story is packed full of emotional, sexual and physical turmoil. Mr. Cox has created an intriguing world, somehow believable through Glenton’s innocent eyes, and finding the upper world of sun and green becomes a real hope as time progresses. There were times when I was in tears and others when I laughed out loud.The plot focuses on the interaction of these young people, their struggle to survive and their dream to feel the sun on their faces. The pace is a mix of efforts to get out and sensual experiences of Glenton learning who and what he is. Aric is older than him, and he’s had experiences. But Aric’s also lost people, and he doesn’t want to fall in love and lose anyone else. This creates tension and frustration in a deliciously bittersweet balance. Mr. Cox writes efficiently, half focusing on the actions needed to survive, half on the sexual awakening. And the reason why everything went wrong underground is shown toward the end, which I appreciated after getting so curious about it.Overall, a remarkably good and strong story for such a short length. Recommended to everyone who likes their romance torturous and rewarding at once, their scifi light but evocative and believable, and their sex hot enough to melt ice. review 2: The world is in deep trouble, it cannot sustain itself, the solution? put everyone in hibernation chambers until the world has rejuvenated, but there is always a "but!"' In this case, Glenton comes awake with ice shattering around him, where is his father? what is happening? he is only a boy, what can he do? Another slightly older boy, Aric, saves him and a handful of other children. The storyline then takes us on their journey of surviving below the surface, how their friendships were cemented and most importantly, Glenton's attraction towards Aric. Then comes another "but"' they need to go back into the hibernation chambers to survive, but will they wake up? You will need to read the book to find out! I am not a fan of sci-fi (it's usually to high tec for me to understand) but the author made a complex situation/story, into a very easy to read, simple love story. The romance side was sweet, loving and caring. I am rapidly becoming a fan if James Cox, this book was certainly written differently to his others. Throughout the book, I kept getting the feeling , that the author was drawing on personal happenings, which made the book so much more personal. I may be wrong, but this book was written with heart and soul that shone from every page. Five stars from me - "because it's worth it!". less
