Readers' Reviews and Remarks
All reviews are genuine and unbiased and not influenced by financial reward.
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Reviewed by Golder Hazelton for Readers' Favorite
Reviewed in USA on 31 October 2024
Dancing With Panthers by Patrick C. Notchtree offers an enthralling account of the roller-coaster life and adventures of young, handsome, keenly intelligent, and sexually insatiable Mark Martin over four years in his tumultuous life. From closeted and curious schoolboy to boy-for-hire to fugitive from justice engaged in illicit maritime trade, Mark is constantly barraged by challenging circumstances and knife-edged pivots in an escalating fight to survive in a harsh and judgmental society where he cannot possibly hope to find acceptance. Notchtree's narrative is expertly crafted, historically significant, and impeccably researched. With a keen historian's eye and a born storyteller's artistry, he offers readers glimpses into dark corners of time and place to which they might never otherwise have had access, and the details are fascinating and compelling.
Dancing With Panthers is far more than just a boy meets boy story - it is a valuable and cogent cautionary tale about the dangers of a closed-minded society that drives those with different sensibilities to desperate and clandestine acts. As its title (adapted from a letter written by Oscar Wilde to his lover and friend Bosie) implies, Notchtree has built danger and suspense into every chapter, the result being that Mark Martin's adventures, once begun, are extremely hard to put down. Readers will be charmed and entertained by his escapades, deftly woven into a narrative rich with history and weighty social commentary. Readers with an affinity for a well-played romance, with important historical and social context as a bonus, will no doubt be abundantly rewarded by Patrick C. Notchtree's Dancing With Panthers.
Link to review
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Official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dancing with Panthers"
Reviewed in the United States on 17 Septemeber, 2024
Excerpts
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Mark is a relatable character. Anyone who has faced significant life changes, loneliness, and newfound responsibilities as an adult can easily empathise with his struggles and feelings. Everyone can relate to the desire for connection and financial security. Moreover, sexuality is a sensitive, confusing topic. There is nothing black and white about this matter, so Mark's journey is great for readers to engage with the matter safely and reassure themselves that they are not alone.
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To sum up, Dancing with Panthers appeals to readers who are interested in coming-of-age stories and homosexual relationships between males. The only drawback of this book is I found typos and grammatical mistakes while reading, so the editing needs improvement. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The few typos have been corrected. The grammatical mistakes the reviewer highlighted were because the book is written in British English and the reviewer is American. Since resolved. PCN
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A compelling read from multiple aspects
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
"Dancing with Panthers" by Patrick Notchtree is an excellent book from several perspectives. It does have everything - dynamic action, deeply developed characters, love and romance, and more. In addition, I enjoyed the geographic placement of the action in both England and the South Pacific, and I learned a lot about maritime terminology and practices. I always enjoy both being entertained and learning new things with books. I highly recommend it!
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Forbidden fruit!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2024
When you pick up a book by this author, you know you have an engrossing few hours of reading ahead of you! This book is no exception, it draws you in from the start, keeps you interested throughout and comes to a very clever and satisfying end.
Set in the 60s, we follow the life of young Mark Martin who, to all outside appearances, is a fairly ordinary schoolboy. However, Mark has a big secret that could get him and a lot of other people into very serious trouble with the law.
Every character in this book has an important part in the story, so 'skim reading' is not advisable!
Word of caution: this book is for adults only and contains explicit M/M action. Do not buy it if you're narrow-minded or easily offended.
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